ALONZO   AND  MELISSA; 


UNFEELING    FATHER. 


Sale, 


on  jpact. 


NEW  YORK: 

LEAVITT  &   ALLEN   BROS., 
No.   8   HOWARD   STREET. 


ALONZO   AND    MELISSA 


A  TALE 


IN  the  time  of  the  late  revolution,  two  young 
gentlemen  of  Connecticut,  who  had  formed  an  in 
dissoluble  friendship,  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in 
New-Haven:  their  names  were  Edgar  and  Alonzo. 
Edgar  was  the  son  of  a  respectable  farmer.  Alon- 
za's  father  was  an  eminent  merchant.  Edgar  was 
designed  for  the  desk,  Alonzo  for  the  bar;  but  as 
they  were  allowed  some  vacant  time  after  their  grad 
uation  before  they  entered  upon  their  professional 
studies,  they  improved  the  interim  in  mutual  friend 
ly  visits,  mingling  with  select  parties  in  the  amuse 
ments  of  the  day,  and  in  travelling  through  some 
parts  of  the  United  States. 

Edgar  had  a  sister,  who  for  some  time  had  resid 
ed  with  her  cousin  at  New-London.  She  was  now 
about  to  return,  and  it  was  designed  that  Edgar 
should  go  and  attend  her  home.  Previous  to  the 
day  on  which  he  was  to  set  out,  he  was  unfortu« 
nately  thrown  from  his  horse,  which  so  much  injur 
ed  him  as  to  prevent  his  prosecuting  his  intended 
journey:  he  therefore  invited  Alonzo  to  supply  his 


8  ALOIfZO    AlfD    MELISIA. 

place,  which  invitation  he  readily  accepted,  and  on 
the  day  appointed,  set  out  for  New-London,  where 
he  arrived,  delivered  his  introductory  letters  to  Ed 
gar's  cousin,  and  was  received  with  the  most  friend 
ly  politeness. 

Melissa,  the  sister  of  Kdgar,  was  about  sixteen 
years  of  age.  She  was  not  what  is  esteemed  a 
striking  beauty,  but  her  appearance  was  pleasingly 
interesting.  Her  figure  was  elegant;  her  aspect  was 
tempered  with  a  pensive  mildnessswhich  in  her  cheer 
ful  moments  would  light  up  into  sprightlincss  and 
vivacity.  Though  on  first  impression  her  counte 
nance  was  marked  by  a  sweet  and  thoughtful  seren 
ity,  yet  she  eminently  possessed  the  power  to 

Call  round  her  laughing  eyes,  in  playful  turns, 
The  glance  that  lightens  and  the  smile  that  burns. 

Her  mind  was  adorned  with  those  delicate  graces 
which  are  the  first  ornaments  of  female  excellence. 
Her  manners  were  graceful  without  affectation,  and 
her  taste  had  been  properly  directed  by  a  suitable 
education. 

Alonzo  was  about  twenty-one  years  old;  he  had 
been  esteemed  an  excellent  student.  His  appear 
ance  was  manly,  open  and  free.  His  eye  indicated 
a  nobleness  of  soul;  although  his  aspect  was  tingod 
with  melancholy,  yet  he  was  naturally  cheerful  Hi* 
disposition  was  of  a  romantic  cast; 

"For  far  beyond  the  pride  or  pomp  of  power, 
He  lov'd  the  realms  of  nature  to  explore; 
With  lingering  gaze  Edinian  spring  survey 'd; 
Morn's  fairy  splendours;  night's  gay  curtain'd  shade, 
The  high  hoar  cliff,  the  grove's  benighting  gloom, 
The  wild  rose,  widow'd  o'er  the  mouldering  tomb 
The  heaven  embosom'd  sun;  the  rainbow's  die, 
Where  lucid  forms  disport  to  fancv's  eye; 


ALONZO    AWD    MELISSA.  3 

The  vernal  flower,  mild  autumn's  purpling  glow, 
The  summer's  thunder  and  the  winter's  snow." 

It  was  evening  when  Alonzo  arrived  at  the  house 
of  Edgar's  cousin.  Melissa  was  at  a  ball  which  had 
been  given  on  a  matrimonial  occasion  in  the  town. 
Her  cousin  waited  on  Aionzo  to  the  ball,  and  in 
troduced  him  to  Melissa,  who  received  him  with  po 
liteness.  She  was  dressed  in  white,  embroidered 
and  spangled  with  rich  silver  lace;  a  silk  girdle 
enwrought  and  tasselled  with  gold  surrounded  her 
waist;  her  hair  was  unadorned  except  by  a  wreath 
of  artificial  flowers,  studded  by  a  single  diamond. 

After  the  ball  closed  they  returned  to  the  house 
of  Edgar's  cousin.  Melissa's  partner  at  the  ball 
was  the  son  of  a  gentleman  of  independent  fortune 
in  New-London.  He  was  a  gay  young  man,  aged 
about  twenty-five.  His  address  was  easy,  his  man 
ners  rather  voluptuous  than  refined;  confident,  but  not 
ungraceful.  He  led  the  ton  in  fashionable  circles; 
gave  taste  its  zest,  and  was  quite  a  favorite  with  the 
ladies  generally.  His  name  was  Beauman. 

Edgar's  cousin  proposed  to  detain  Alonzo  and  Me 
lissa  a  few  days,  which  time  they  passed  in  waa 
visiting  select  friends  and  in  social  parties.  Beauman 
an  assiduous  attendant  upon  Melissa.  He  came 
one  afternoon  to  invite  her  to  ride  out; — she  was 
indisposed  and  excused  herself.  At  evening  she  pro 
posed  walking  out  with  her  cousin  and  his  lady;  but 
they  were  prevented  from  attending  her  by  unexpect 
ed  company.  Alonzo  offered  to  accompany  her.  It 
was  one  of  those  beautiful  evenings  in  the  month  of 
June,  when  nature  in  those  parts  of  America  is  ar 
rayed  in  her  richest  dress.  They  left  the  town  and 
walked  through  fields  adjoining  the  harbor.  Tha 
moon  shone  in  full  lustre,  her  white  beams  trem^>- 


10  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA, 

ling  upon  the  glassy  main,  where  skiffs  and  sails  of 
various  descriptions  were  passing  and  repassing. 
The  shores  of  Long-Island  and  the  other  islands  in 
the  harbor,  appeared  dimly  to  float  among  the  waves. 
The  air  was  adorned  with  the  fragrance  of  sur 
rounding  flowers;  the  sound  of  instrumental  mu 
sic  wafted  from  the  town,  rendered  sweeter  by  dis 
tance,  while  the  whippoorwill's  sprightly  song  echoed 
along  the  adjacent  groves.  Far  in  the  eastern  ho 
rizon  hung  a  pile  of  brazen  clouds,  which  had  pas- 
ed  from  the  north,  over  which  the  crinkling  red 
lightning  momentarily  darted,  and  at  times,  long 
peals  of  thunder  were  faintly  heard.  They  walked 
to  a  point  of  the  beach,  where  stood  a  large  rock 
whose  base  was  washed  by  every  tide.  On  this  rock 
they  seated  themselves,  and  enjoyed  a  while  the 
splendors  of  the  scene — the  drapery  of  nature.  *  To 
this  place,'  said  Melissa,  'have  I  taken  many  a  solita 
ry  walk,  on  such  an  evening  as  this,  and  seated  on 
this  rock,  have  I  experienced  more  pleasing  sensa 
tions  than  I  ever  received  in  the  most  splendid  bail 
room.'  The  idea  impressed  the  mind  of  Alonzo;  it 
was  congenial  with  the  feeling  of  his  soul. 

They  returned  at  a  late  hour,  and  the  next  day 
set  out  for  home.  Beauman  handed  Melissa  into 
the  carriage,  and  he,  with  Edgar's  cousin  and  his 
lady  attended  them  on  their  first  day's  journey. 
They  put  up  at  night  at  the  house  of  an  acquaint 
ance  in  Branford.  The  next  morning  they  parted; 
Melissa's  cousin,  his  lady  and  Beauman,  returned  to 
New-London;  Alonzo  and  Melissa  pursued  their 
jouwiey,  and  at  evening  arrived  at  her  father's 
house,  which  was  in  the  westerly  par  of  the  state. 

Melissa  was  received  with  joyful  tenderness  by 
her  friends.  Edgar  soon  recovered  from  his  fall, 
and  ( leerfulness  again  assumed  its  most  oleasing 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  11 

'aspect  in  the  family.  Edgar's  father  was  a  plain 
Connecticut  farmer.  He  was  rich,  and  his  riches 
had  been  acquired  by  his  diligent  attention  to  busi 
ness.  He  had  loaned  money  and  taken  mortgages 
on  lands  and  houses  for  securities;  and  as  payment 
frequently  failed,  he  often  had  opportunities  of  pur 
chasing  the  involved  premises,  at  his  own  price.  He 
well  knew  the  worth  of  a  shilling,  and  how  to  apply 
it  to  its  best  use;  and  in  casting  interest,  he  was 
sure  never  to  lose  a  farthing.  He  had  no  other 
children  except  Edgar  and  Melissa,  on  whom  he 
doated.  Destitute  of  literature  himself,  he  had  pro 
vided  the  means  of  obtaining  it  for  his  son,  and  as 
he  was  a  rigid  presbyterian,  he  considered  that  Ed 
gar  could  no  where  figure  so  well,  or  gain  more  em 
inence,  than  in  the  sacred  desk. 

The  time  now  arrived  when  Edgar  and  Alonzo 
were  to  part.  The  former  repaired  to  New  York, 
where  he  was  to  enter  upon  his  professional  studies. 
The  latter  entered  in  the  office  of  an  eminent  attor 
ney  in  his  native  town,  which  was  about  twenty 
miles  distant  from  the  village  in  which  lived  the 
family  of  Edgar  and  Melissa.  Alonzo  was  the  fre 
quent  guest  of  this  family;  for  though  Edgar  was 
absent,  there  was  still  a  charm  which  attracted  him 
thither.  If  he  had  admired  the  manly  virtues  of 
the  brother,  could  he  fail  to  adore  the  sublime  gra 
ces  of  the  sister?  If  all  the  sympathies  of  the  most 
ardent  friendship  had  been  drawn  forth  towards  the 
former,  must  not  the  most  tender  passions  of  the 
goul  be  attracted  by  the  milder  and  more  refined  ex 
cellencies  of  the  latter? 

Beauman  had  become  the  suitor  of  Melissa;  but 
the  distance  of  residence  rendered  it  inconvenient  to 
visit  her  ofton.  He  came  regularly  once  in  two  of 


12  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

three  months;  of  course  Alonzo  and  he  sometime! 
met.  Beauman  had  made  no  serious  pretensions, 
but  his  particularity  indicated  something  more  than 
fashionable  politeness. 

His  manners,  his  independent  situation,  his  fami 
ly,  entitled  him  to  respect.  'It  is  not  probable  there 
fore,  that  he  will  be  objectionable  to  Melissa's 
f.-iends,  or  to  Melissa  herself,'  said  Alonzo,  with  an 
involuntary  sigh. 

But  as  Beauman's  visits  to  Melissa  became  more 
frequent,  an  increasing  anxiety  took  place  in  Alon- 
zo's  bosom.  He  wished  her  to  remain  single;  the 
idea  of  losing  her  by  marriage,  gave  him  inex 
pressible  regret.  What  substitute  could  supply  the 
happy  hours  he  had  passed  in  her  company?  What 
charm  could  wing  the  lingering  moments  when  she 
was  gone?  In  the  recess  of  his  studies  he  could  in  a 
few  hours,  be  at  the  seat  of  her  father:  There  his 
cares  were  dissipated,  and  the  troubles  of  life,  real 
or  imaginary,  on  light  pinions  fleeted  away.  How 
different  would  be  the  scene  when  debarred  from 
the  unreserved  friendship  and  conversation  of  Me 
lissa.  And  unreserved,  it  could  not  be,  were  she  not 
exclusively  mistress  of  herself.  But  was  there  not 
something  of  a  more  refined  texture  than  friendship 
in  his  predilection  for  the  company  of  Melissa?  If 
so,  why  not  avow  it?  His  prospects,  his  family, and 
of  course  his  pretensions  might  not  be  inferior  to 
those  of  Beauman.  But  perhaps  Beauman  was  pre 
ferred.  His  opportunities  had  been  greater;  he  had 
formed  an  acquaintance  with  her.  Distance  proved 
no  barrier  to  his  addresses.  His  visits  became  more 
and  more  frequent.  Was  it  not  highly  probable 
then  that  he  had  secured  her  affections?  Thus  rea 
soned  Alonzo,  but  the  reasoning  tended  not  to  allay 
the  temoest  which  was  gathering  in  his  bosom.  He 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  13 

ordered  his  horse,  and  was  in  a  short  time  at  the 
scat  of  Melissa's  father. 

It  was  summer,  and  towards  evening  when  he  ar 
rived.  Meiissa  was  setting  by  the  window  when 
he  entered  the  hall.  She  arose  and  received  him 
with  a  srnile.  *  I  have  just  been  thinking  of  an  eve 
ning's  walk,  said  she,  but  had  no  one  to  attend  me, 
and  you  have  come  just  in  time  to  perform  that  of 
fice.  I  will  order  tea  immediately,  while  you  rest 
from  the  fatigues  of  your  journey.' 

When  tea  was  served  up,  a  servant  entered  the 
r»om  with  a  letter  which  he  had  found  in  the  yard. 
Melissa  received  it.  "Tis  a  letter,'  said  she  c  wh'ch 
I  sent  by  Beaumante  a  lady  in  New  London,  and 
the  careless  man  has  lost  it.'  Turning  to  Alonzo,  « I 
forgot  to  tell  you  that  your  friend  Beauman  has  been 
with  us  a  few  days;  he  left  us  this  morning.' 

*  My  friend,'  replied  Alonzo,  hastily. 

'  Is  he  not  your  friend?'  enquired  Melissa. 
«  I  beg  pardon,  madam,'  answered  he,  *  my  mind 
was  absent.' 

*  He  requested  us  to  present    his  respects  to  his 
friend  Alonzo,'  said  she.     Alonzo  bowed  and  turned 
the  conversation. 

They  walked  out  and  took  a  winding  path  which 
led  along  pleasant  fields  by  a  gliding  stream,  through 
a  little  grove  and  up  a  sloping  eminence, which  com 
manded  an  extensive  prospect  of  the  surrounding 
country,  Long  Island,  and  the  sound  between  that 
and  the  main  land,  ans.  the  opening  thereof  to  the 
distant  ocean. 

f  A  soft  and  silent  shower  naU  descended;  a  thou 
sand  transitory  gems  trembled  upon  the  foliage  glit 
tering  in  the  western  ray.  A  bright  rainbow  sat  upon 
tho  southern  cloud,  the  light  gales  whispered  among 
the  branches,  agitaled  the  \oung  harvest  to  billowy 


14  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

motion,  or  waved  the  tops  o<"  i:e  distant  deeo  green 
forest  with  majestic  grandeur.  Flocks,  herds,  and 
cottages  were  scattered  over  tne  variegated  land 
scape. 

Hills  piled  on  hills,  receding,faded  from  the  pursu 
ing  eye,  mingling  with  the  blue  mist  which,  hovered 
around  the  extreme  verge  of  the  horizon.  '  This  is  a 
most  delightful  scene.'  said  Melissa. 

*  It  is  indeed,'  replied  Alonzo;  «  can  New-London 
boast  so  charming  a  prospect?' 

Melissa.  No — yes;  indeed  I  can  hardly  say.  You 
know,  Alonzo,  how  I  am  charmed  with  the  rock  at 
the  point  of  the  beach. 

Alonzo.  You  told  me  the  happy  hours  you  had 
passed  at  that  place.  Perhaps  the  company  which 
attended  you  there,  gave  the  scenery  its  highest 
embellishment. 

Melissa.  I  know  not  how  it  happened;  but  you 
are  the  only  person  who  ever  attended  me  there. 

Al.     That  is  a  little  surprising. 

Mel.     Why  surprising  ? 

Al.     Where  was  Beauman  ? 

Mel.  Perhaps  he  was  not  fond  of  solitude.  Be 
sides  he  was  not  always  my  Beauman. 

Al.    Sometimes. 

Mel.     Yes,  sometimes. 

Al.     And  now  always. 

Mei.     Not  this  evening. 

Al.     He  formally  addresses  you. 

Mel.     Well. 

Al.  And  will  soon  claim  the  exclusive  privilege  00 
to  do. 

Mel.  That  does  not  follow  of  course. 

Al.  Of  course,  if  his  intentions  are  sincere,  and 
the  wishes  of  another  should  accord  therewith. 

Mel.     Who  am  I  to  understand  by  another? 


ALONJO    AND    MELISSA.  15 

Al.    Melissa.     [A  pa^se,] 

Mel.  See  that  s'.np,  Alonzo,  coming  up  tae  sound; 
how  she  ploughs  through  the  white  foam,  while  the 
breezes  flutter  among  the  sails,  varying  with  the 
beams  of  the  sun. 

Al.     Yes,  it  is  almost  down. 

Mel.     What  is  almost  down? 

Al.  The  sun.  Was  not  you  speaking  of  the 
sun,  madam? 

Mel.  Your  mind  is  absent,  Alonzo;  I  was  speaking 
of  yonder  ship. 

Al.  I  beg  your  pardon,  madam.  O  yes — the  ship 
• — it — it  bounds  witrx  rapid  motion  over  the  waves. 

A  pause  ensued.  They  walked  leisurely  around 
the  hill,  and  moved  towards  home.  The  sun  sunk 
behind  the  western  hills.  Twilight  arose  in  the 
east,  and  floated  along  the  air.  Darkness  began 
to  hover  around  the  woodlands  and  valleys.  The 
beauties  of  the  landscape  slowly  receded.  'This  re 
minds  me  of  our  walk  at  New-London,'  said  Melissa. 
*  Do  you  remember  it?'  enquired  Alonzo.  «  Certainly 
I  do,  'she  replied,  'I  shall  never  forget  the  sweet  pen 
sive  scenery  of  my  favorite  rock.'  'Nor  I  neither,' 
said  Alonzo,  with  a  deep  drawn  sigh. 

The  next  day  Alonzo  returned  to  his  studies  ; 
but  different  from  his  former  visits  to  Melissa,  in 
stead  of  exhilerating  his  spirts,  this  had  tended  to 
depress  them.  He  doubted  whether  Melissa  was 
not  already  engaged  to  Beauman.  His  hopes  would 
persuade  him  that  this  was  not  the  case;  but  his 
fears  declared  otherwise. 

It  was  some  time  before  Alonzo  renewed  his  visit. 
In  the  interim  he  received  a  letter  from  a  friend  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Melissa's  father;  an  eitract 
from  which  follows: 


16 


MELISSA. 


'We  are  soon  to  have  a   wedcnr.rr  here;  you    are 

acquainted  with    the    parties — Melissa   IT and 

Beauman.  Such  at  least  is  cur  opinion  from  ap 
pearances,  as  Beauman  is  now  ht.e  more  than  half 
his  time — You  will  undoubtedly  be  a  guest.  We 
had  expected  that  you  would  have  put  in  your  C'C'ms, 
from  your  particular  attention  to  the  lady.  She  id 
a  fine  girl,  Alonzo.' 

'  I  shall  never  be  a  gue?t  at  Jm^ssa's  wedding,' 
Baid  Alonzo  as  he  hastily  pacw  ihe  r?onv  '  but  I 
must  once  again  see  her  before  *hct  event  takes 
place,  when  I  lose  her  forever.'  The  next  day  he 
repaired  to  her  father's.  He  enquired  for  Melissa 
she  was  gone  with  a  party  to  the  shores  of  the  sound, 
attended  by  Beauman.  At  evening  they  returned. 
Beauman  and  Alonzo  addressed  each  other  with 
much  seeming  cordiality.  'You  have  deceived  us, 
Alonzo,'  said  Melissa.  'We  concluded  you  had 
forgotten  the  road  to  this  place.' 

'Was  not  that  a  hasty  conclusion?'  replied  Alon 
zo.  '  I  think  not,'  she  answered  rf  your  long  ab 
sence  should  be  construed  into  negject.  But  we  will 
hear  your  excuse,  said  she,  sm.ina',  Dy  and  by,  and 
perhaps  pardon  you.'  He  thanitea  her  for  her  con 
descension. 

The  next  morning  Beauman  set  out  for  New-Lon 
don.  Alonzo  observed  that  he  took  a  tender  leave 
of  Melissa,  telling  her  in  a  low  voice,  that  he  should 
have  the  happiness  of  seeing  her  again  within  two 
or  three  weeks.  After  he  was  gone,  as  Melissa  and 
Alonzo  were  setting  in  a  room  alone.  'Well,'  said 
she  'am  I  to  hear  your  excuses:' 

Alonzo.     For  what,  madam? 

Mel.     For  neglecting  your  friends. 

Alonzo     I  hope  it  is  r.ot  so  considered  madam. 


ALONZO    AXD    MELISSA.  17 

Mel.  Seriously,  tnen,  why  have  you  staid  away 
BO  long?  Has  this  place  no  charms  in  the  absence  of 
my  brother? 

Al.  Would  my  presence  have  added  to  your  fe 
licity,  Melissa? 

Mel.  You  never  came  an  unwelcome  visitor  here. 

Al.     Perhaps  I  might  be  sometimes  intrusive. 

Mel.     What  times? 

Al.    When  Beauman  is  your  guest. 

Mel.  I  have  supposed  you  were  on  friendly  terms. 

Al.     We  are. 

Mel.  Why  then  intrusive' 

Al.  There  are  seasons  when  friendship  must  yield 
to  a  superior  claim. 

Mel.  Perhaps  I  do  not  rightly  comprehend  the 
force  of  that  remark. 

Al.  Was  Beauman  here,  my  position  might  bo 
demonstrated. 

Mel.     I  think  T  understand  you. 

Al.     And  acknowledge  my  observation  to  be  just, 

Mel.  (hesitating.)  Yes, — I  believe  I  must. 

Al.     And  appropriate? 

Melissa  was  silent. 

Al.     You  hesitate,  Melissa. 

She  was  silent. 

Al.     Will  you  Melissa  answer  me  one  question? 

Mel.  (confused.)  If  it  be  a  proper  one  you  are 
entitled  to  candor. 

Al.    Are  you  engaged  to  Beauman? 

Mel.  (blushing.)  He  has  asked  me  the  same 
question  concerning  you. 

Al.     Do  you  prefer  him  to  any  other? 

Mel.  (deeply  blushing,  her  eyes  cast  upon  the 
floor.)  Fe  has  made  the  same  enquiry  respecting 
you. 


18  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Al.  Has  he  asked  your  father  s  permission  to  ad 
dress  you? 

Mel.     That  I  have  not  suffered  him  yet  to  do. 

Al.     Yet! 

Mel.     I  assure  you  I  have  net 

Al.  (taking  her  hand  with  anxiety.)  Melissa,  I 
beg  you  will  deal  candidly.  I  am  entitled  to  no 
claims,  but  you  know  what  my  heart  would  ask.  I 
will  bow  to  your  decision.  Beauman  or  Alonzo 
iTiust  relinquish  their  pretensions.  We  cannot  share 
the  blessing. 

Mel.  (her  cheeks  suffused  with  a  varying  glow, 
her  lips  pale,  her  voice  trembles,  her  eyes  still  cast 
down.)  My  parents  have  informed  me  that  it  is  im 
proper  to  receive  the  particular  addresses  of  more 
than  one.  I  am  conscious  or  my  inadvertency,  and 
that  the  reproof  is  just,  ^-ne  therefore  musf  be  dis 
missed.  But — (she  blushec.  • 

A  considerable  pause  ensued.  At  length  Alonzo 
arose — 'I  will  not  press  you  farther,'  said  he;  'I  know 
the  delicacy  of  your  feelings,  1  know  your  sincerity; 
I  will  not  therefore  insist  on  your  performing  the 
painful  task  of  deciding  against  me.  Your  conduct 
in  every  point  of  view  has  been  discreet.  I  could 
have  no  just  claims,  or  if  I  had,  your  heart  must 
sanction  them,  or  they  would  be  unhallowed  and 
unjustifiable  I  shall  ever  pray  for  your  felicity 
Our  affections  are  not  under  our  direction;  our  hap 
piness  depends  on  our  obedience  to  their  mandates 
Whatever,  then,  may  be  mv  sufferings  you  are  un* 
blameable  and  irreproacnaoie.  He  TOOK  his  hat  in 
extreme  agitation  and  prepared  to  take  his  leave. 

Melissa  had  recovered  in  some  degree  from  her 
embarrassment,  and  collected  her  skittered  spirits. 
*  Your  conduct,  Alonzo.'  said  she,  'is  generous  arid  no 
ble.  Will  ya.  give  yourse.f  t?he  trouble  and  do  me  the 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  19 

honor  tj  see  me  once  more  ?'  '  I  will,'  said  he,  *  at 
any  time  you  shall  appoint.'  *  Four  weeks,  then,' 
ehe  said,  '  from  this  day,  honor  me  with  a  visit  and 
you  shall  have  my  decision,  and  receive  my  final  an- 
ewer.'  '  I  will  be  punctual  to  the  day,'  he  replied 
and  bade  her  adieu. 

Alonzo's  hours  now  winged  heavily  away.  His 
wonted  cheerfulness  fled;  he  wooed  the  silent  and 
solitary  haunts  of '  musing  moping  melancholy.' 
He  loved  to  wander  through  lonely  fields,  or  along 
the  verge  of  some  lingering  stream,  *  when  dewy  twi 
light  rob'd  the  evening  mild,'  or  'to  trace  the  for 
est  glen,  through  which  the  moon  darted  her  silvery 
intercepted  ray.' 

He  was  fondly  indulging  a  tender  passion  which 
preyed  upon  his  peace,  and  deeply  disturbed  his  re 
pose.  He  looked  anxiously  to  the  hour  when  Me 
lissa  was  to  make  her  decision.  He  wished,  yet 
dreaded  the  event.  In  that  he  foresaw,  or  thought 
he  foresaw,  a  withering  blight  to  his  budding  hopes, 
and  a  final  consummation  to  his  foreboding  fears. — 
He  had  pressed  Melissa,  perhaps  too  urgently,  to  a 
declaration. — Had  her  predilection  been  in  his  favor, 
would  she  have  hesitated  to  avow  it  ?  Her  parents 
had  advised  her  to  relinquish,  and  had  permitted 
her  to  retain  one  suitor,  nor  had  they  attempted  to 
influence  or  direct  her  choice.  Was  it  not  evident 
then,  from  her  confused  hesitation  and  embarrass 
ment,  when  solicited  t®  discriminate  upon  the  sub 
ject,  that  her  ultimate  decision  would  be  in  favor  of 
ueauman  ? 

While  Alonzo's  mind  was  thus  agitated,  he  receiv 
ed  a  second  letter  from  his  friend  in  the  neighborhood 
ofMelissa.  He  read  the  following  clause  therein 
with  emotions  more  easily  conceived  than  expressed 


20  ALONZO  AND  MKI.IB»A. 

*  Melissa's  wedding  day  is  appointed.     I  need  not 
tell  you  that  Beauman  is  to  be  the    happy   deity   of 
the  hy  menial    sacrifice.     I  had    this   from    his  own 
declaration.    He  did  not  name  the  positive  day,  but 
it  is  certainly    to    be  soon.    You    will  undoubtedly, 
however,  have  timely  notice,  as  a  guest.     We  must 
pour  out  a  liberal  libation  to  the  mystic  altar,  Alon 
zo,  and  twine  the  nuptial    garland  with    wreaths   of 
joy.     Beauman  ought  to  devote  a  rich  offering  to  so 
valuable  a  prize.     He  has  been  here  for  a  week,  and 
departed  for  New-London  yesterday,  but  is    shortly 
to  return.' 

*  And  why  have  I  doubted  this  event"  said  Alonzo. 
*  What  infatuation  hath  thus  led  me  on  to    the  pur 
suit  of  fantastic  and  unreal  bliss  ?  I  have  had,    it    is 
true,  no  positive  assurance    that  Melissa  would    fa 
vor  my  addresses.     But  why   did    she  ever   receive 
them?     Why  did  she  enchantingly  smile  upon  me? — 
Why  fascinate  the  tender  powers  of  my  soul  by  that 
winning    mildness,    and    the    favorable    display    of 
those  complicated   and    superior    attractions    which 
she  must  have    known    were  irresistible? — Why  did 
she  not  sp-irn  me  from  her   confidence,  and    plainly 
tell  me  thai  my  attentions  were    untimely    and    im 
proper?  And  now  she  would  have  me  dance  attend 
ance  to  her  decision  in  favor  of  Beauman. — Insult 
ing.      Let  Beauman  and  she,    make,  as    they   have 
formed,  this  farcical  decision;  I  absolutely  will  nev 
er  attend  it. — But  stop:  I  have  engaged  to   see    hei 
at  an  appointed  time;  my  honor  is  therefore    pledg 
ed  for  an    interview;  it    must    take    place.     I  shall 
support  it  with  becoming   dignity,  and    I  will    con 
vince  Melissa  and  Beauman  that  I  am  not  the  dupe 
of  their  caprices.     But  let  me   consider — What   has 
Melissa  done  to  deserve  censure  or  reproach?    Her 
orother  was  my  early  friend:  she  has  treated  me  of 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  21 

a  friend  to  her  brother.  She  was  unconscious  of 
the  flame  which  her  charms  had  kindled  in  my  bo 
som.  Her  evident  embarrassment  and  confusion  on 
receiving  my  declaration,  witnessed  her  surprise  and 
prior  attachment.  What  could  she  do?  To  save 
herself  the  pain  of  a  direct  denial,  she  had  appoint 
ed  a  day  when  her  refusal  may  come  in  a  more  del 
icate  and  formal  manner — and  I  must  meet  it.' 

At  the  appointed  day  Alonzo  proceeded  to  the 
house  of  Melissa's  father,  where  he  arrived  late  in 
the  afternoon.  Melissa  had  retired  to  a  little  sum 
mer  house  at  the  end  of  the  garden;  a  servant  con 
ducted  Alonzo  thither.  She  was  dressed  in  a  flow 
ing  robe  of  white  muslin,  embroidered  with  a  deep 
fringe  lace,  liar  hair  hung  loosely  upon  her  shoul 
ders;  she  was  contemplating  a  boquet  of  flowers 
which  she  held  in  her  hand.  Alonzo  fancied  she 
never  appeared  so  lovely.  She  arose  to  receive  him. 
'  We  have  been  expecting  you  some  time,'  said  Me 
lissa;  'we  are  anxious  to  inform  you  that  we  have 
just  received  a  letter  from  my  brother,  in  which  he 
desires  us  to  present  you  his  most  friendly  respects, 
and  complains  of  your  not  writing  to  him  lately  so 
frequently  as  usual.'  Alonzo  thanked  her  for  the 
information;  said  that  business  prevented  him;  he 
esteemed  him  as  his  most  valuable  friend,  and  would 
be  more  particular  in  future. 

'We  have  been  thronged  with  company  for  sever 
al  days,'  said  Melissa.  'Once  a  year  my  father  cel 
ebrates  his  birth  day,  when  we  are  honored  with  so 
numerous  a  company  of  uncles,  aunts,  cousins,  ne 
phews  and  neices,  that  were  you  present,  you  would 
suppose  we  were  connected  with  half  the  families  in 
Connecticut.  The  last  of  this  company  took  their 
departure  yesterday,  and  I  have  only  to  regret  that 
I  have  f  jr  nearly  a  week  been  prevented  from  visit- 


22  ALOWZO    AWD    MELISSA. 

ing  my  favorite  hill,  to  which  you  attended  m« 
when  you  last  was  here.  It  is  much  improved  since 
then:  I  have  had  a  little  arbor  built  under  the  large 
tree  on  its  summit:  you  will  have  no  objection  to 
view  it,  Alon/.o.'  He  assured  her  he  accepted  the 
invitation  with  pleasure,  and  towards  evening  they 
resorted  to  the  place  and  seated  themselves  in  the 
arbor. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  Autumn,  and  a  yellow  hue 
was  spread  over  the  fading  charms  of  nature.  The 
withering  forest  began  to  shed  its  decaying  foliage, 
which  the  light  gales  pursued  along  the  russet  fields. 
The  low  sun  extended  the  lengthening  shadows; — 
curling  smoke  ascended  from  the  surrounding  cot 
tages.  A  thick  fog  crept  along  the  vallies;  a  gray  mist 
hovered  over  the  tops  of  the  mountains.  The  glassy 
surface  of  the  sound  glittered  to  the  sun's  departing 
ray.  The  solemn  herds  lowed  in  solemn  symphony. 
The  autumnal  insects  in  sympathetic  wafting,  plain 
tively  predicted  their  approaching  fate.  «  The  scene 
is  changed  since  we  last  visited  this  place,'  said  Me 
lissa;  '  the  gay  charms  of  summer  are  beginning  to 
decay,  and  must  soon  yield  their  splendors  to  the 
despoiling  hand  of  winter.' 

*  That  will  be  the  case,'  said  Alonzo,  *  before  I 
shall  have  the  pleasure  of  your  company  here  again.' 

Mel.  That  probably  may  be,  though  it  is  nearly 
two  months  yet  to  winter. 

Al.  Great  changes  may  take  place  within  that 
time. 

Mel.  Yes,  changes  must  take  place;  but  nothing 
[  hope,  to  embitter  present  prospects. 

Al.  (peevishly.)  As  it  respects  yourself,  I  trust  not, 
madam. 

Mel.  (tenderly.)  And  I  sincerely  hope  not,  as  it 
respects  you,  Alonzo. 


ALONZO    AN.D    MELISSA.  23 

Al.    That  wish,  I  believe,  is  vain. 

Mel.    Why  so  ominous  a  prediction  ? 

Al.    The  premises  from  which  it  is  drawn  are  cor 
rect. 

Mel.  Your  feelings  accord  with  the  season,  Alon- 
*o:  you  are  melancholy.  Shall  we  return. 

Al.  I  ask  your  pardon,  madam;  I  know  I  am 
unsociable.  You  speak  of  returning:  you  know  the 
occasion  of  my  being  here. 

Mel.  For  the  purpose  of  visiting  your  friends,  I 
presume. 

Al.     And  no  other  ? 

She  made  no  reply. 

Al.  You  cannot  have  forgotten  your  own  appoint 
ment,  and  consequent  engagement  ? 

She  made  no  answer. 

Al.  I  know,  Melissa,  that  you  are  incapable  of 
duplicity  or  evasions.  I  have  promised,  and  now 
repeat  the  declaration,  that  1  will  silently  submit  to 
your  decision.  This  you  have  engaged  to  make,  and 
this  is  the  time  you  have  appointed.  The  pains  of 
present  suspense  can  scarcely  be  surpassed  by  the 
pangs  of  disappointment.  On  your  part  you  have 
nothing  to  fear.  I  trust  you  have  candidly  deter 
mined  and  will  decide  explicitly. 

Mel.  (sighing.)  I  am  placed  in  an  exceedingly 
delicate  situation. 

Al.  I  know  you  are;  but  your  own  honor,  your 
own  peace,  require  that  you  should  extricate  your 
self  from  the  perplexing  embarrassment. 

Mel.  I  am  sensible  they  do.  It  must — it  shall 
be  done. 

Al.    And  the  sooner  it  is  done  the  better. 

Mel.  That  I  am  convinced  of.  I  now  know  that 
I  have  been  inadvertently  indiscreet.  I  have  ad 
mitted  the  addresses  of  Beaum an  and  yourself,  with- 


24  ALOTfZO    *  IVD    MELISSA. 

out  calculating  or  expecting  the  consequences.  You 
have  both  treated  me  honorably,  and  with  respect 
Yeu  are  both  on  equal  grounds  as  to  your  charac 
ter  and  standing  in  life.  With  Beauman  I  became 
first  acquainted.  As  it  relates  to  him,  some  new  ar 
rangements  have  taken  place  since  you  were  here 
which 

Al.  (interrupting  her  with  emotion.) — Of  those 
arrangements  I  am  acquainted. 

Mel.  (surprised.)  By  what  means  were  you  in 
formed  thereof  ? 

Al.  I  received  it  from  a  friend  in  your  neighbor 
hood. 

A  considerable  pause  ensued. 

Al.  You  see,  Melissa,  I  am  prepared  for  the 
event. — She  was  silent. 

Al.  I  have  mentioned  before,  that,  whatever  be 
your  decision,  no  impropriety  can  attach  to  you.  1 
might  not,  indeed,  from  various  circumstances,  and 
from  the  information  I  possess,  I  perhaps  should  not 
have  given  you  farther  trouble  on  the  occasion,  had 
it  not  been  from  your  own  direction  and  appoint 
ment.  And  I  am  now  willing  to  retire  without  fur 
ther  explanation,  without  giving  you  the  pain  of  an 
express  decision,  if  you  think  the  measure  expedient. 
Your  declaration  can  only  be  a  matter  of  form,  the 
tonsequence  of  which  I  know,  and  my  proposition 
•may  save  your  feelings. 

Mel.  No,  Alonzo;  my  reputation  depends  on  my 
adherence  to  my  first  determination;  justice  to  your 
self  and  to  Beauman  also  demand  it.  After  what 
has  passed  I  should  be  considered  as  acting  capri 
eiously  and  inconsistently,  should  I  depart  from  it 
Ueauman  will  be  here  to-morrow,  and  

Al.     To-morrow,  madam  i 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  25 

Mel.  He  will  be  here  to-morrow,  and  you  must 
consent  to  stay  with  us  until  that  time;  the  matter 
shall  then  be  decided. 

Al.  I — yes,  it  shall  be  as  you  say,  madam.  Make 
your  arrangements  as  you  please. 

Evening  had  now  spread  her  dusky  mantle  over 
the  face  of  nature.  The  stars  glistened  in  the  sky. 
The  breezes  rustling  wing  was  in  the  tree.  Tha 
distant  sound  of  the  low  murmuring  brook,  and 
the  far  off  water-fall,  were  faintly  heard.  The  twmk 
ling  fire-fly  arose  from  the  surrounding  verdure  and 
illuminated  the  air  with  a  thousand  transient  gleams. 
The  mingling  discordance  of  curs  and  watch- dogs 
echoed  in  the  distant  village,  from  whence  the  fre 
quent  lights  darted  their  pale  lustre  through  the 
gloom.  The  solitary  whippoorvvills  stationed  them 
selves  along  the  woody  glens,  the  groves  and 
rocky  pastures,  and  sang  a  requiem  to  departed  sum 
mer.  A  dark  cloud  was  rising  in  the  west,  across 
whose  gloomy  front  the  vivid  lightning  bent  its  forky 
spires. 

Alonzo  and  Melissa  moved  slowly  to  the  village; 
she  appeared  enraptured  with  the  melancholy  splen 
dors  of  the  evening,  but  the  other  subject  engaged 
the  mental  attention  of  Alonzo. 

Beauman  arrived  the  next  day.  He  gave  his  hand 
to  Alonzo  with  seeming  warmth  of  friendship.  If  it 
was  reciprocated,  it  must  have  been  affected.  There 
was  no  alteration  in  the  manners  and  conversation 
of  Melissa:  her  conversation,  as  usual  was  spright 
ly  and  interesting.  After  dinner  she  retired,  and  her 
father  requested  Alonzo  and  Beauman  to  withdraw 
with  him  to  a  private  room.  After  they  were  seat 
ed,  the  old  gentleman  thus  addressed  them: 

*  I  have  called  you  here  gentlemen,  to  perform  my 
duty  as  a  pai  3nt  ta  my  daughter,  and  as  a  friend  to 


26  AJLORZO    AND    MELISSA. 

you.  You  are  both  suitors  to  Melissa;  whi  e  your 
addiesses  were  merely  formal  they  were  innocent; 
but  when  they  became  serious  they  were  dangerous. 
Your  pretensions  I  consider  equal,  and  between 
honorable  pretenders,  who  are  worthy  of  my  daugh 
ter,  I  shall  not  attempt  to  influence  her  choice.  That 
choice,  however,  can  rest  only  on  one:  she  has  en 
gaged  to  decide  between  you.  I  am  come  to  make, 
in  her  name,  this  decision.  The  following  are  my 
terms: — No  quarrel  or  difficulty  shall  arise  between 
you,  gentlemen,  in  consequence  of  her  determina 
tion.  Nothing  shall  go  abroad  respecting  the  affair; 
it  shall  be  ended  under  my  roof.  As  soon  as  I  have 
pronounced  her  declaration, you  shall  both  depart  and 
absent  my  house  for  at  least  two  weeks,  as  it  would 
be  improper  for  my  daughter  to  see  either  of  you  at 
present:  after  that  period  I  shall  be  happy  to  receive 
your  visits.' — Alonzo  and  Beauman  pledged  their 
honor  to  abide  implicitly  to  these  injunctions.  Her 
"ather  then  observed — '  This,  gentlemen,  is  all  I  re 
quire.  I  have  observed  that  I  considered  your  pre 
tensions  equal:  so  has  my  daughter  treated  them. 
You  have  both  made  professions  to  her;  she  has  ap 
pointed  a  time  to  answer  you.  That  time  has  ar 
rived,  and  I  now  inform  you  that  she  has  decided 
in  favor  of  Alonzo.' 

The  declaration  of  Melissa's  father  burst  upon 
the  mental  powers  of  Beauman  like  a  sudden  and 
tremendous  clap  of  thunder  on  the  deep  and  BU!- 
len  silence  of  night.  Unaccustomed  to  disappoint 
ment  he  had  calculated  on  success.  His  addresses 
to  the  ladies  had  ever  been  honorably  received. 

Melissa  was  the  first  whose  charms  were  capable 
of  rendering  them  sincere.  He  was  not  ignorant  of 
A-O.izo's  attention  to  her;  it  gave  him  however  but 
litLe  uneasiness.  He  believed  that  his  superior 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  27 

qualifications  would  eclipse  the  pretensions  of  his  ri 
val.  He  considered  himself  a  connoisseur  in  charac 
ter,  especially  in  the  character  of  the  ladies.  He 
conformed  to  their  taste;  he  flattered  their  foibles 
and  obsequiously  bowed  to  the  minutiae  of  female 
volatility.  He  considered  himself  skilled  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  heart;  and  he  trusted  from  his  pre-em 
inent  powers  in  the  science  of  affection,  he  had  only 
to  see,  to  sue  and  to  conquer.  He  had  frankly  offer 
ed  his  hand  to  Melissa,  and  pressed  her  foi  a  deci 
sive  answer.  This  from  time  to  time  she  suspended, 
and  finally  appointed  a  day  to  give  him  and  Alonzo 
a  determinate  answer,  though  neither  knew  the  ar 
rangements  made  with  the  other. 

Finding  however,  the  dilemma  in  which  she  was 
placed,  she  had  previously  consulted  her  parents. 
Her  father  had  no  objection  to  her  choosing  between 
two  persons  of  equal  claims  to  affluence  and  repu 
tation,  this  choice  she  had  rmde  and  her  father  was 
considered  the  most  proper  person  to  pronounce  it. 

When  Beauman  had  urged  his  suit  to  Melissa,  he 
supposed  that  her  hesitation,  delays  and  suspensions, 
were  only  the  effects  of  maiden  diffidence  and  timid 
ity.  He  had  no  suspicions  of  her  ultimately  reject 
ing  it;  and  when  she  finally  named  the  day  of  decis 
ion,  he  was  confident  she  would  decide  in  his  favor. 
These  sentiments  he  had  communicated  to  the  per 
son  who  had  written  to  Alonzo,  intimating  that  Me 
lissa  had  fixed  a  time  which  was  to  crown  his  hap 
piest  wishes. 

He  had  1'atened  therefore  attentively  to  the  word 
of  Melissa's  father,  momentarily  expecting  to  hear 
himself  declared  the  favorite  choice  of  the  fair. 

What  then  must  have  been  his  disappointment 
when  the  name  of  Alonzo  was  pronounced  instead 
of  his  own  !  The  highly  finished  scene  of  pleasure 


28  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

and  future  prosperity  which  his  ardent  imagination 
had  depicted,  had  vanished  in  a  moment.  The  rai»- 
bow  glories  which  gilded  his  youthful  horizon,  had 
faded  in  an  instant — the  bright  sun  of  his  early 
hopes  had  set  in  mournful  darkness.  The  summons 
of  death  would  not  have  been  more  unexpected,  or 
more  shocking  to  his  imagination. 

Very  different  were  the  sensations  which  inspired 
the  bosom  of  Alonzo.  He  had  not  even  calculated 
on  a  decision  in  his  own  favor,  he  believed  that 
Beauman  would  be  the  choice  of  Melissa.  She  had 
told  him  that  the  form  of  decision  was  necessary  to 
save  appearances:  with  this  form  he  complied  be 
cause  she  desired  it,  not  because  he  expected  the  re 
sult  would  be  in  his  favor.  Ife  had  not  therefore 
attended  to  the  words  of  Melissa's  father  with  that 
eagerness  which  favorable  anticipations  commonly 
produce.  But  when  his  name  was  mentioned;  when 
he  found  he  was  the  choice — the  happy  favorite  of 
Melissa's  affection,  every  tender  passion  of  his  soul 
became  interested,  and  was  suddenly  aroused  to  the 
refinements  of  sensibility.  Like  an  electric  shock,  it 
reanimated  his  whole  frame,  and  vibrated  every 
nerve  of  his  heart.  The  glooms  which  hung  about 
his  mind  were  dissipated,  and  the  bright  morning  of 
joy  broke  in  upon  his  soul. 

Thus  were  the  expectations  of  Alonzo  and  Beau 
man  disappointed — how  differently,  the  sequel  has 
shown. 

Melissa's  father  retired  immediately  after  pro 
nouncing  the  declaration;  the  two  young  gentlemen 
also,  soon  after,  withdrew.  Alonzo  saw  the  tem 
pest  which  tore  the  bosom  of  his  rival,  and  he  piti 
ed  him  from  his  heart. 

A  fortnight  passed  and  Alonzo  felt  all  that  anxiety 
and  impatience  which  a  separation  from  a  beloved 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  29 

Object  can  produce.  He  framed  a  thousand  excus 
es  to  visit  Melissa,  yet  he  feared  a  visit  might  be 
premature.  lie  was  however  necessifated  to  make 
a  journey  to  a  distant  part  of  the  country,  after 
which  ne  resolved  to  see  Melissa.  He  performed 
his  business  and  was  returning.  It  was  toward  eve 
ning,  and  the  day  had  been  uncommonly  sultry  for 
the  autumnal  season.  A  rising  shower  blackened 
the  western  hemisphere;  the  dark  vapor  ascended 
in  folding  rklges,  and  the  thunder  rolled  at  a  distance. 
Alonzo  saw  he  should  be  overtaken.  He  discovered 
an  elegant  seat  about  one  hundred  yards  distant 
from  the  road;  thither  he  hastened  to  gain  shelter 
from  the  approaching  storm.  The  owner  of  the 
mansion  met  him  at  the  door,  politely  invited  him 
to  alight  and  walk  in,  while  a  servant  stood  ready 
to  take  his  horse.  He  was  ushered  into  a  large 
room  neatly  furnished,  where  the  family  and  sever 
al  young  ladies  were  sitting.  As  Alonzo  glanced  his 
eyes  hastily  round  the  room,  he  thought  he  recog 
nized  a  familiar  countenance.  A  hurried  succession 
of  confused  ideas  for  a  moment  crossed  his  recol 
lection.  In  a  moment,  however,  he  discovered  that  it 
was  Melissa.  By  this  unexpected  meeting  they 
were  both  completely  embarrassed.  Melissa,  how 
ever,  arose,  and  in  rather  a  confused  mariner,  in 
troduced  Alonzo,  as  the  classmate  of  her  brother,  t« 
the  family  of  Mr.  Simpson  and  the  company. 

The  rain  continued  most  part  of  the  afternoon. 
Alonzo  was  invited,  and  consented  to  stay  all  night. 
A  moonlight  evening  succeeded  the  shower,  which  in 
vited  the  young  people  to  walk  in  an  adjoining  gar- 
c'en.  Melissa  told  Alonzo  that  Mr.  Simpson  was  a 
distant  relative  of  her  father;  his  family  consisted 
«f  his  wife,  two  amiable  daughters  not  far  from  Me- 
liosa's  age,  and  one  son  named  William,  about  sev 
enteen  years  old.  She  had  been  invited  there  to 


30  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

pass  a  week,  and  expected  to  return  within  two  daya 
And  she  added,  smiling,  *  perhaps,  Alonzo,  we  may 
have  an  opportunity  once  more  to  visit  the  bower 
on  my  prospect  hill,  before  winter  entirely  destroys 
the  remaining  beauties  of  the  summer.'  Alonzo 
felt  the  force  of  the  remark.  He  recollected  the 
conversation  when  they  were  last  at  the  place  she 
mentioned;  and  he  well  remembered  his  feelings 
on  thai  occasion. 

*  Great  changes,  indeed,'  he  replied,  '  have  taken 
place  since  we  were  last  there:  that  they  are  pro 
ductive  of  unexpected  and  unexampled  happiness  to 
me,  is  due,  Melissa,  to  you  alone.'  Alonzo  depart 
ed  the  next  morning,  appointing  the  next  week  to 
visit  Melissa  at  her  father's  house. 

Thus  were  the  obstacles  removed  which  present 
ed  a  barrier  to  the  united  wishes  of  Alonzo  and  Me 
lissa.  They  had  not,  it  is  true,  been  separated  by 
wide  seas,  unfeeling  parents  or  the  rigorous  laws  of 
war;  but  troubles,  vexations,  doubts  and  difficulties, 
had  thus  far  a! leaded  them,  which  had  now  disap 
peared,  and  they  calculated  on  no  unpropitious  event 
which  might  thwart  their  future  union.  A!!  the  time 
that  Alon/o  could  spare  from  his  studies  was  devot 
ed  to  Melissa,  and  fheir  parents  began  to  calculate 
on  joining  their  hands  as  soon  as  Alonzo 's  profession 
al  term  of  study  was  completed. 

The  troubles  which  gave  rise  to  the  disseveration 
of  Kngland  from  America  had  already  commenced, 
which  broke  out  the  ensuing  spring  into  actual  hos- 
tilities,  by  the  battle  of  Lexington,  followed  soon 
after  by  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  The  panic  and 
general  bustle  which  took  place  in  America  on  the'se 
events,  is  yet  well  remembered  by  many.  They  were 
not  calculated  to  impress  the  mind  of  Melissa  with 
the  most  pleasing  sensations.  She  foresaw  that  th» 


^  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  31 

burden  of  the  war  must  rest  on  the  American  youth 
and  she  trembled  in  anticipation  for  the  fate  of  Alon 
zo.  He.  with  others,  should  the  war  continue,  must 
take  the  field,  in  defence  of  bis  country.  The  ef 
fects  of  such  a  separation  were  dubious  and  gloomy. 
Alonzo  and  she  frequently  discoursed,  and  they 
agreed  to  form  the  mystic  union  previous  to  any 
wide  separation. 

One  event  tended  to  hasten  this  resolution.  The 
attorney  in  whose  office  Alonzo  was  clerk,  received 
a  commission  in  (he  new  raised  American  army,  and 
marched  to  the  lines  near  Boston  His  business 
was  therefore  suspended,  and  Alonzo  returned  to  the 
house  of  his  father.  He  considered  that  he  could 
not  long  remain  a  mere  spectator  of  the  contest,  and 
that  it  might  soon  be  his  duty  to  take  the  field;  he 
therefore  concluded  it  best  to  hasten  his  marriage 
with  Melissa.  She  consented  to  the  proposition, 
and  their  parents  made  the  necessary  arrangements 
for  the  event.  They  had  even  fixed  upon  the  place 
which  was  to  be  the  future  residence  of  this  happy 
couple.  It  was  a  pleasantly  situated  village,  sur 
rounded  by  rugged  elevations,  which  gave  an  air  of 
serenity  and  seclusion  to  the  valley  they  encircled 
On  the  south  arose  a  spacious  hill,  which  was  as 
cended  by  a  gradual  acclivity;  its  sides  and  summit 
interspersed  with  orchards,  arbors,  and  cultivated 
fields.  On  the  west,  forests  unevenly  lifted  their 
rude  heads,  with  here  and  there  a  solitary  field,  new 
ly  cleared  and  thinly  scattered  with  cottages.  To 
the  east  the  eye  extended  over  a  soil,  at  ore  time 
swelling  into  craggy  elevations,  and  at  another 
spreading  itself  into  vales  of  the  most,  enchanting 
verdure.  To  the  north  it  extended  over  a  vast  suc 
cession  of  mountains,  wooded  to  their  summits,  and 
throwing  their  shadows  over  intervales  ot  equal 


82  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

wilderness  till  at  length  it  was  arrested  in  its  excur 
sions  by  the  blue  mists  which  hovered  over  moun 
tains  more  grand,  majest.c,  and  lofty.*  A  rivulet 
which  rushed  from  the  hills  formed  a  little  lake  on 
the  borders  of  the  village,  which  beautifully  reflect 
ed  the  cottages  from  its  transparent  bosom.  Amidst 
a  cluster  of  locusts  and  weeping  willows,  rose  the 
spire  of  the  church,  in  the  ungarnished  decency  of 
Sunday  neatness.  Fields,  gardens,  meadows,  and 
pastures  were  spread  around  the  valley,  and  the 
sid«s  of  the  declivities,  yielding  in  their  season  the 
rich  flowers,  fruits  and  foliage  of  spring,  summer 
and  autumn.  The  inhabitants  of  this  modern  Au- 
vernum  were  mostly  farmers.  They  were  mild  so 
ciable,  moral  and  diligent.  The  produce  of  their  own 
flocks  and  fields  gave  them  most  of  their  food  and 
clothing.  To  dissipation  they  were  strangers,  and 
the  luxuries  of  their  tables  were  few. 

Such  ivas  the  place  for  the  residence  of  Alonzo 
and  Melissa.  They  had  visited  the  spot,  and  were 
enraptured  with  its  pensive  romantic  beauties.  A 
site  was  marked  out  whereon  to  erect  their  family 
mansion.  It  was  on  a  little  eminence  which  sloped 
gradually  to  the  lake,  in  the  most  pleasant  part  of 
the  village.  «  Here,'  said  Alonzo  one  day  to  Melis 
sa,  *  will  we  pass  our  days  in  all  that  felicity  of  mind 
which  the  chequered  scenes  of  life  admit.  In  the 
spring  \ve  will  rove  among  the  flowers.  In  sum 
mer,  we  will  gather  strawberries  in  yonder  fields  or 
whortleberries  from  the  adjacent  shrubbery.  The 
breezes  of  fragrant  morning,  and  the  sighs  of  the 
evening  gale,  will  be  mingled  with  the  songs  of  the 
thousand  various  birds  which  frequent  the  surround- 


*Some  who  read  this  description  will   readily 
cognize  the  village  here  described. 


re- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  S3 

ing  groves.  We  will  gather  the  bending  fruits  of 
autumn,  and  we  will  listen  to  the  hoarse  voice  of 
winter,  its  whistling  winds,  its  driving  snow,  and 
rattling  hail,  with  delight.' 

The  bright  gems  of  joy  glistened  in  the  eyes  of 
Melissa.  With  Alon/o  she  anticipated  approaching 
happiness,  and  her  bosom  beat  in  rapturous  unison. 

Winter  came  on;  it  rapidly  passed  away.  Spring 
advanced  and  the  marriage  day  was  appointed. 

The  spring  opened  with  the  din  of  preparation 
throughout  America  for  defensive  war.  It  now  was 
found  that  vigorous  measures  must  be  pursued  to  op 
pose  the  torrent  which  was  preparing  to  overwhelm 
the  colonies,  which  had  now  been  dissevered  from  the 
British  empire,  by  the  declaration  of  independence. 
The  continental  army  was  now  raising, and  great  num 
bers  of  American  youth  volunteered  in  the  service 
of  their  country.  A  large  army  of  reinforcements 
was  soon  expected  from  England  to  land  on  our 
shores,  and  '  the  confused  noise  of  the  warriors,  and 
garments  rolled  in  blood,'  were  already  anticipated. 

Alonzo  had  received  a  commission  in  a  regiment 
of  militia,  and  was  pressed  bv  several  young  gentle 
men  of  his  acquaintance,  who  had  entered  the  army, 
to  join  it  also.  He  had  an  excuse.  His  father  was  a 
man  in  extensive  business,  was  considerably  past  the 
prime  of  life,  had  a  number  of  agents  and  clerks  un 
der  him,  but  began  to  grow  unable  to  attend  to  the 
various  and  burthensome  duties  and  demands  of  a 
mercantile  life. 

Alonzo  was  his  only  son;  his  assistance  therefore 
became  necessary  until,  at  least,  his  father  could 
bring  his  business  to  a  close,  which  he  was  now 
about  to  effect.  Alonzo  stated  these  facts  to  his 
friends;  told  them  that  on  every  occasion  he  should 
be  ready  to  fly  to  the  post  of  danger  when  his  coun- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

try  was  invaded,  and  (hat  as  soon  as  his  father's 
affairs  should  be  settled,  he  would,  if  necessary,  wiJ- 
linglv  join  the  army. 

The  day  now  rapidly  approached  when  Alonzo 
was  to  make  Melissa  his  own.  Preparations  for  the 
Hvmeniel  ceremony  M-ere  making,  and  invitations 
had  already  gons  abroad.  Edgar,  the  brother  of  Me 
lissa,  had  entered  the  army  in  the  capacity  of  chap- 
Iain.  He  was  soon  expected  home,  where  he  in 
tended  to  tarry  until  the  consummation  of  the  nup 
tials,  before  he  set  out  for  the  camp.  Letters  re- 
ently  received  from  him,  informed  that  he  expected 
to  be  at  his  father's  in  three  or  four  days. 

About  three  weeks  previous  to  the  appointed  mar 
riage  day,  Alonzo  and  Melissa  one  afternoon  rode 
out  to  the  village  which  had  been  chosen  for  their 
future  residence.  Their  carriage  slopped  at  the  only 
inn  in  the  place,  and  from  thence  they  walked  around 
this  modern  Vaucluse,  charmed  with  the  secluded 
beauties  of  its  situation.  They  passed  a  little  time 
at  the  spot  selected  for  the  habitation;  they  pro 
jected  the  structure  of  the  buildings,  planned  the 
gardens,  the  artificial  groves,  the  walks,  the  meaa, 
the  fountains,  and  the  green  retreat  of  the  summer 
house,  and  they  already  saw,  in  anticipation,  the 
various  domestic  blessings  and  felicities  with  which 
they  were  to  be  surrounded. 

They  took  tea  at  the  inn,  and  prepared  to  return. 
It  was  at  the  latter  end  of  the  month  of  May,  and 
nature  was  adorned  in  the  bridal  ornaments  of  spring; 
the  sun  was  sunk  behind  the  groves,  which  cast  the 
sombre  shades  over  the  valley,  while  the  retiring 
beams  of  day  adorned  the  distant  eastern  eminen 
ces  with  yellow  lustre. 

The  birds  sung  melodiously  in  the  grove,  the  air 
was  freshened  by  light  western  breezes,  bearing  up- 


ALONJZO    AND    MELISSA.  35 

on  iheir  wings  all  the  entrancing  odours  of  the  sea 
son.  Around  the  horizon  clouds  raised  their  brazen 
summits,  based  on  the  black  vapor  of  approaching 
night. 

They  slowly  ascended  the  hill  south  of  the  town, 
where  they  paused  a  few  moments  to  enjoy  the 
splendors  of  the  evening  scene.  This  hill,  which 
commanded  a  prospect  of  all  the  surrounding  coun 
try,  the  distant  sound,  and  the  adjacent  towns  and 
villages,  perhaps  one  of  the  most  picturesque  dra 
peries  painted  by  nature.  Alonzo  attended  Melissa 
to  her  father's,  and  the  next  day  returned  home 

His  father  had  been  absent  for  three  or  four  days 
to  one  of  the  commercial  seaports,  on  business  with 
some  merchants  with  whom  he  was  connected  in 
trade.  He  returned  next  day  after  Alonzo  got  home: 
— his  aspect  and  his  conversation  were  marked  with 
an  assumed  and  unmeaning  cheerfulness.  At  sup 
per  he  ate  nothing,  discoursed  much,  but  in  an  un 
connected  and  hurried  manner,  interrupted  by  long 
pauses,  in  which  he  appeared  to  be  buried  in  con 
templation. 

After  supper  he  asked  Alonzo  if  it  were  not  pos 
sible  that  his  marriage  with  Melissa  could  be 
consummated  within  a  few  days.  Alonzo  started 
at  so  unexpected  a  question,  replied  that  such  a  pro 
posal  would  be  considered  extraordinary,  perhaps 
improper:  besides  when  Melissa  had  fixed  the  day, 
she  mentioned  that  she  had  an  uncle  near  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  whose  daughter  was  to  pass  the 
summer  with  Melissa,  and  was  expected  to  arrive 
before  the  appointed  day.  It  would,  he  said,  be  a 
delicate  point  for  him  to  request  her  to  anticipate 
the  nuptials,  unless  he  could  give  some  cogent  rea 
sons  for  so  doing;  and  at  present  he  was  not  appris 
ed  that  anv  such  existed.  His  father  after  a  fe\f 


ALONZO    AND    MEL78SA. 

moments  hesitation,  answered,  *  I  have  reasona, 
which,  when  told' — here  he  stopped,  suddenly  arose, 
hastily  walked  the  room,  in  much  visible  agony  of 
mind,  and  then  retired  to  his  chamber. 

Alonzo  and  his  mother  were  much  amazed  at  so 
strange  a  proceeding.  They  could  form  no  conjec 
ture  of  its  cause  or  its  consequence.  Alonzo  pass 
ed  a  sleepless  ni^ht.  His  father's  slumbers  were  in 
terrupted.  Me  would  frequently  aiart  up  in  bed, 
then  sink  in  restless  sleep,  with  incoherent  mutter- 
ings,  and  plaintive  moans.  In  the  morning  when  he 
appeared  at  breakfast,  his  countenance  wore  the 
murks  of  dejection  and  anguish. 

He  scarcely  spoke  a  word  and  after  the  cloth  was 
removed,  he  ordered  all  to  withdraw  except  his 
wife  and  Alonzo;  when,  with  emotions  that  spoke 
the  painful  feelings  of  his  bosom,  he  thus  addressed 
them: 

*  For  more  than  forty  years   I  have    toiled   early 
and  late  to  acquire    independence  and  ease  for  my 
self  and  family.     To  accomplish  this,  I  became  con 
nected  with  some  English  importing  merchants  in  a 
seaport  town,  and    went    largely    into    the    English 
trade.     Success  crowned  our  endeavors;  on  balanc 
ing  our  accounts  two  years  ago,  we  found  that  our 
expectations  were  answered,  and  that  we  were  now 
sufficiently  wealthy  to  close    business,   which    some 
proposed  to  do:  it  was    however    agreed    to    make 
one  effort  more,  as  some    favorable    circumstances 
appeared  to  offer,    in    which    \ve    adventured    very 
largely,  on  a  fair  ca.culation  of  liberal  and  extensive 
proceeds. 

*  Before  returns  could  be  made,  the  war  came  on, 
embarrassments    ensued,  and  by  indubitable    intelli 
gence  lately  received,  we  find  that   our    property    in 
England  has  been  sequestered;  five  of  our   ships  la- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  17 

den  with  English  goods,  lying  in  English  harbors, 
and  just  ready  to  sail  for  America,  have  been  seized 
as  lawful  prizes.  Added  to  this,  three  vessels  from 
the  Indies,  lac^n  with  island  produce,  have  been 
taken  on  theii  homeward  bound  voyage,  and  one 
lost  on  her  return  from  Holland.  This  wreck  of 
fortune  I  might  have  survived,  had  I  to  sustain  only 
my  equal  dividend  of  the  loss.  But  of  the  merchants 
with  whom  I  have  been  connected  not  one  remains 
to  share  the  fate  of  the  event;  all  have  absconded 
or  secreted  themselves.  To  attempt  to  compound 
with  my  creditors  would  be  of  little  avail;  my  whole 
fortune  will  not  pay  one  fourth  of  the  debts;  so  that 
compound  or  not  the  consequence  to  me  is  inevita 
ble  ruin. 

«  To  abscond  would  not  secure  me,  as  most  of  my 
remaining  property  is  vested  in  real  estate.  And 
even  if  it  would,  I  could  not  consent  to  it:  I  could 
not  consent  to  banish  myself  from  my  country;  to 
flee  like  a  felon;  to  skulk  from  society  with  the* 
base  view  of  defrauding  my  creditors.  No,  I  have 
lived  honestly,  and  honestly  will  I  die.  By  fair  ap 
plication  and  long  industry  my  wealth  has  been  ob 
tained;  and  it  shall  never  justly  be  said,  that  the 
reputation  of  my  latter  days  was  stained  with  acts 
of  baseness.  I  have  notified  and  procured  a  meet 
ing  of  the  creditors,  and  have  laid  the  matters  be 
fore  them.  Some  appeared  favorable  to  me;  others 
insinuated  that  we  were  all  connected  in  fraudulent 
designs  to  swindle  our  creditors.  This  I  repelled 
with  becoming  spirit,  and  was  in  consequence  threat 
ened  with  immediate  prosecution.  Whatever  may 
be  the  event,  I  had  some  hopes  that  your  happiness, 
Alon/o,  might  be  secured.  Hence  I  proposed  your 
union  with  Melissa,  before  our  misfortunes  should  be 
promulgated  Your  parents  are  old;  «  little  will 


83  AL(  tJZQ    AND    MEMBBA. 

serve  the  residue  of  their  days.  With  your  acquire* 
ments  you  may  make  your  way  in  life.  I  shall  have 
no  property  to  give  you;  but  I  would  still  wish  you 
to  secure  that  which  you  prize  far  above,  and  with 
out  which  both  honors  and  emoluments  are  unim 
portant  and  worthless." 

At  this  moment  a  loud  rap  at  the  door  interrupted 
the  discourse,  and  three  men  were  ushered  in, which 
proved  to  be  the  sheriff  and  his  attendants,  sent  by 
the  more  inexorable  creditors  of  Alonzo's  father  and 
company,  to  level  on  the  property  of  the  former, 
which  orders  they  faithfully  executed,  by  seizing  the 
lands,  tenements  and  furniture,  and  finally  arresting 
the  body  of  the  old  gentleman,  which  was  soon  re 
leased  by  his  friendly  neighbors  becoming  bail  for 
his  appearance;  but  the  property  was  soon  after  sold 
at  public  vendue,  at  less  than  half  its  value,  and 
Alonzo's  father  and  mother  were  compelled  to  aban 
don  the  premises,  and  take  shelter  in  a  little  hut, 
belonging  to  a  neighboring  farmer  illy  and  tempo 
rarily  furnished  by  the  gratuitous  liberality  of  a  few 
friends. 

We  will  not  stoo  the  reader  to  moralize  on  this 
Disastrous  event.  The  feelings  of  the  family  can  bet 
ter  be  conceived  than  detailed.  Hurled  in  a  mo 
ment  from  the  lofty  summit  of  affluence  to  the  low 
and  barren  vale  of  poverty!  Philosophy  came  to  the 
aid  of  the  parents,  but  who  can  realize  the  feelings 
of  the  son!  Thus  suddenly  cut  short  of  his  prospects, 
not  only  of  future  independence,  but  even  of  sup 
port,  what  would  be  the  event  of  his  suit  to  Melis 
sa,  and  stipulated  marriage  ?  Was  it  not  probable 
that  her  father  would  now  cancel  the  contract  ? 
Could  she  consent  to  be  his  wife,  in  his  present  pe 
nurious  situation?  And  indeed,  could  he  himself  con 
sent  to  make  her  his  wife,  to  make  her  miserable? 


ALONZO    A  MELISSA.  39 

In  this  r.gitated  frame  of  mind  he  received  a  let 
ter  from  his  friend  in  Melissa's  neighborhood,  re 
questing  him  to  come  immediately  to  his  house, 
whither  he  repaired  the  following  day.  This  per 
son  had  ever  been  the  unchanging  friend  of  Alonzo; 
he  had  heard  of  the  misfortunes  of  his  family,  and 
he  deeply  sympathised  in  his  distress.  He  had  late 
ly  married  and  settled  in  life:  his  name  was  Vin 
cent. 

When  Alonzo  arrived  at  the  house  of  his  friend, 
he  was  received  with  the  same  disinterested  ardor 
he  had  ever  been  in  the  day  of  his  most  unbounded 
prosperity.  After  being  seated,  Vincent  told  him 
that  the  occasion  of  his  sending  for  him  was  to  pro 
pose  the  adoption  of  certain  measures  which  he 
doubted  not  might  be  considered  highly  beneficial 
as  it  respected  his  future  peace  and  happiness. 
*  Your  family  misfortunes,'  continued  Vincent, '  have 
reached  the  ears  of  Melissa's  father.  I  know  that 
old  gentleman  too  well  to  believe  he  will  consent  to 
receive  you  as  his  son-in-law,  under  your  present 
embarrasments.  Money  is  the  god  to  which  he  im 
plicitly  bows.  The  case  is  difficult,  but  not  insur 
mountable.  You  must  first  see  Melissa;  she  is  now 
in  the  next  room.  I  will  introduce  you  in;  converse 
with  her,  after  which  I  will  lay  my  plan  before  you.' 

Alonzo  entered  the  room;  Melissa  was  sitting  by 
a  window  which  looked  into  a  pleasant  garden,  and 
over  verdant  meadows  whose  tall  grass  waved  lo 
the  evening  breeze.  Farther  on,  low  vallies  spread 
their  umbrageous  thickets,  where  the  dusky  shadows 
of  night  had  began  to  assemble. 

On  high  hills  beyond,  the  tops  of  lofty  forests, 
majestically  moved  by  the  billowy  gales,  caught  tha 
Bun's  last  ray.  Fleecy  sumiaer  clouds  hovered  around 


40  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

the  verge  ?f  the  western  horizon,  spangled  with  sil 
very  tints  tr  fringed  with  the  gold  of  evening. 

A  mournfully  murmuring  rivulet  purled  at  a  little 
distance  from  the  garden,  on  the  borders  of  a  small 
grove,  from  whence  the  American  wild  dove  wafted 
her  sympathetic  moaning  to  the  ear  of  Melissa.  She 
sat  leaning  on  a  small  tahle  by  the  window,  which 
was  thrown  up.  Her  attention  was  fixed.  She  did 
not  perceive  Vincent  and  Alonzo  as  they  entered. 
They  advanced  towards  her.  She  turned,  started, 
and  arose.  With  a  melancholy  smile,  and  tremu 
lous  voice,  '  I  supposed,'  she  said,  'that  it  was  Mrs 
Vincent,  who  was  approaching,  as  she  has  just  left 
the  room.'  Her  countenance  appeared  to  be  de 
jected,  which  on  seeing  Alonzo,  lighted  up  into  a 
languid  sprightliness.  It  was  evident  she  had  been 
weeping. 

Vincent  retired,  and  Alonzo  and  Melissa  seated 
themselves  by  the  window.  '  I  have  broken  in  up 
on  your  solitude,  perhaps,  too  unseasonably,'  said 
Alohzo.  *  It  is  however,  the  fault  of  Vincent  : — he 
invited  me  to  walk  into  the  room,  but  did  not  inform 
me  that  you  were  alone.'  '  Your  presence  was  sud 
den  and  unexpected,  but  not  unseasonable,'  replied 
Melissa.  *  I  hope  that  you  did  not  consider  any  form 
ality  necessary  in  your  visits,  Alonzo.' 

Alonzo.  1  once  did  not  think  so.  Now  I  know 
not  what  to  think — I  know  not  how  to  act.  You 
have  heard  of  the  misfortunes  of  my  father's  family, 
Melissa  ? 

Mel.  Yes;  I  have  heard  the  circumstances  at 
tending  that  event — an  event  in  which  no  one  could 
be  more  deeply  interested  except  the  immediate  suf 
ferers,  than  myself. 

Al.  Your  father  is  also  acquainted  with  my  pres 
ent  situation ! 


ALOITZO    AND    MELISSA.  41 

Mel.     He  is. 

AI.  How  did  he  receive  the  intelligence  * 

Mel      With  deep  regret. 

Al.  And  forbade  you  to  admit  my  addresses  any 
longer  ? 

Mel.     No,  not  absolutely. 

Al.  If  even  in  an  unqualified  or  indirect  manner, 
it  is  proper  I  should  know  it. 

Mel.  It  certainly  is.  Soon  after  we  received 
the  intelligence  of  your  family  misfortunes,  my  fa 
ther  came  into  the  room  where  I  was  sitting;  '  Me 
lissa,'  said  he,  '  your  conduct  has  ever  been  that  of  a 
dutiful  child;  mine  of  an  indulgent  parent.  My 
first,  my  ultimate  wish  is,  to  see  my  children,  when 
settled  in  life,  happy  and  honorably  respected.  For 
this  purpose,  I  have  bestowed  on  them  a  proper  ed 
ucation,  and  design  suitably  to  apportion  my  prop 
erty  between  them.  On  their  part,  it  is  expected 
they  will  act  prudently  and  discreetly,  especially 
in  those  things  which  concern  their  future  peace  and 
welfare.  The  principal  requisite  to  ensure  this  is  a 
proper  connexion  in  marriage.'  Here  my  father 
paused  a  considerable  time,  and  then  continued — *  J 
know,  my  child  that  your  situation  is  a  very  delicate 
one.  Your  marriage  day  is  appointed;  it  was  ap 
pointed  under  the  fairest  prospects;  by  the  failure 
of  Alonzo's  father,  those  prospects  have  becimie 
deeply  darkened,  if  not  totally  obliterated. 

'  To  commit  your  fortune  through  life  to  a  per 
son  unable  to  support  you,  would  be  hazardous  in 
the  extreme.  The  marriage  day,  can  at  least,  be 
suspended;  perhaps  something  more  favorable  may 
appear.  At  any  rate,  I  have  too  *nuch  confidence 
in  your  discretion,  to  suppose  that  you  will  by  any 
rash  act,  bring  either  poverty  or  reproach  upon 
yourself  or  your  connexions  '  Thus  spoke  my  father,, 
and  immediately  withdrew 


42  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

«  In  our  present  dilemma,'  said  Alonit>,  «  what  is 
proper  to  be  done.' 

'It  is  difficult  to  determine,'  replied  Melissa.  'Should 
my  lather  expressly  forbid  our  union,  he  will  go  all 
lengths  to  carry  his  commands  into  effect.  Although 
a  tender  parent,  he  is  violent  in  his  prejudices,  and 
resolute  in  his  purposes,  i  would  advise  you  to  call  at 
my  father's  house  to-morrow  with  your  usual  free 
dom.  Whatever  may  be  the  event  I  shall  deal  sin 
cerely  with  you.  Mr.  and»Mrs.  Vincent  are  now  iny 
only  confidants.  From  them  you  will  be  enabled 
to  obtain  information,  should  I  be  debarred  from 
seeing  you.  I  am  frequently  here;  they  told  me 
thev  expected  you,  but  at  what  day  was  not  known. 
Mrs.  Vincent  has  been  my  friend  and  associate  from 
my  earliest  years.  Vincent  you  know.  In  them  wo 
can  place  the  utmost  confidence.  My  reliance  on 
providence,  I  trust,  will  never  be  shaken;  but  my 
<uture  prospects,  at  present,  are  dark  and  gloomy.' 

«  Let  us  not  despair,'  answered  Alonzo,  '  perhaps 
these  gloomy  clouds  which  now  hover  around  us, 
will  yet  be  dissipated  by  the  bright  beams  of  joy. 
Innocence  and  virtue  are  the  cares  of  heaven.  There 
lies  my  hope.  To-morrow,  as  you  propose,  I  will 
ca'l  at  your  father's.' 

Melissa  now  prepared  to  return  home;  a  whip- 
poorwill  tuned  its  nightly  song  at  a  little  distance; 
but  the  sound,  so  cheerful  and  sprightly,  now  pas 
sed  heavily  over  their  hearts. 

When  Alonzo  returned,  Vincent  unfolded  the  plan 
he  had  projected.  c  No  sooner,'  said  he,  '  was  I  in 
formed  of  your  misfortunes,  than  1  was  convinced 
that  Melissa's  father  would  endeavor  to  dissolve 
your  intended  union  with  his  daughter.  I  have 
known  him  many  years,  and  however  he  may  doat 
on  his  children,  or  value  their  happiness,  he  will  not 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA  4t 

hesitate  to  sacrifice  his  other  feelings  to  the  ac 
quirement  of  riches.  It  appeared  that  you  had  but 
on3  resource  left,  lou  and  Melissa  are  now  united 
by  the  most  solemn  ties — by  every  rite  except  those 
which  are  merely  ceremonial.  These  I  vould  ad 
vise  you  to  enter  into,  and  trust  to  the  consequen 
ce.  Mis.  Vincent  has  proposed  the  scheme  to  Me- 
l>£sa;  but  implicitly  accustomed  to  filial  obedience, 
she  shudders  at  the  idea  of  a  clandestine  marriage. 
But  when  her  father  shall  proceed  to  rigorous  meas 
ures,  she  will,  I  think  consent  to  the  alternative. 
And  this  measure,  once  adopted,  her  father  must 
consent  also;  or,  if  not,  you  secure  your  own  happi 
ness,  and  what  you  esteem  more,  that  of  Melissa.' 

«  Out  you  must  be  sensible  of  my  inability  to  sup 
port  her  as  she  deserves,'  replied  Alonzo,  '  even 
should  she  consent  to  it. 

'  The  world  is  before  you,'  answered  Vincent;  'you 
have  friends,  you  have  acquirements,  which  will  "not 
fail  you.  In  a  country  like  this,  you  can  hardly  fail 
of  obtaining  a  competency,  which  with  the  other 
requisites,  will  ensure  your  independence  and  felici- 

*y-' 

Alonzo  informed  Vincent  what  had  been  agreed 
upon  between  Melissa  and  himself,  respecting  his 
visiting  her  on  the  morrow;  '  after  which,'  ho 
said,  «  we  will  discourse  further  on  the  subject.' 

The  next  day  Alonzo  repaired  to  the  house  of 
Melissa's  father.  As  he  approached,  he  saw  Melis 
sa  sitting  in  a  shady  recess  at  one  end  of  the  gar 
den  near  which  the  road  passed.  She  was  leaning 
with  her  head  upon  her  hand,  in  a  pensive  posture; 
a  deep  dejection,  was  depicted  in  her  features,  which 
enlivened  into  a  transient  glow  as  soon  as  she  saw 
Alonzo.  She  arose,  met  him  and  invited  him  into 
the  house. 


44  ALOJTZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Alonzo  was  received  with  a  cold  reserve  by  all 
except  Melissa.  Her  father  saluted  him  with  a  dis 
tant  and  retiring  bow,  as  he  passed  with  Melissa  to 
her  room.  As  soon  as  they  were  seated,  a  maiden 
aunt  who  had  doubled  her  teens,  outlived  many  of 
her  suitors,  and  who  had  lately  come  to  reside  with 
the  family,  entered  and  seated  herself  by  the  win 
dow,  alternately  humming  a  tune,  and  impudently 
staring  at  Alonzo,  without  speaking  a  word,  except 
snappishly  to  contradict  Melissa  in  any  thing  fine 
advanced,  which  the  latter  passed  off  with  only  a 
faint  smile. 

This  interruption  was  not  of  long  continuance. 
Melissa's  father  entered,  and  requested  the  two  la 
dies  to  withdraw,  which  was  instantly  done.  He 
then  addressed  Alonzo  as  follows: — *  When  I  gave 
consent  for  you  to  marry  my  daughter,  it  was  on 
the  conviction  that  your  future  resources  would  bo 
adequate  to  support  her  honorably  and  independ 
ently.  Circumstances  have  since  taken  place, 
which  render  this  point  extiemely  doubtful.  Pa 
rental  duty  and  affection  demands  that  I  should 
know  your  means  and  prospects  before  I  sanction  a 
proceeding  which  may  reduce  my  child  to  penury 
and  want.' 

Ho  paused  for  a  reply,  but  Alonzo  was  silent. 
He  continued — '  You  yourself  must  acknowledge, 
that  to  burthen  yourselt  with  the  expense  of  a  fami 
ly;  to  transfer  a  woman  from  aH'uence  to,  poverty, 
without  even  an  object  in  view  to  provide  for  either, 
would  be  the  height  of  folly  and  extravagance.' 
Again  he  paused,  but  Alonzo  was  still  silent.  He 
proceeded — '  Could  you,  Alonzo,  suffer  life,  when 
you  see  the  wife  of  your  bosom,  probably  your  in 
fant  children,  pining  in  misery  for  want  of  bread. 
And  what  else  have  you  to  expect  if  you  marry  in 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  45 

rour  present  situation  ?  You  have  friends  and  well 
wishers;  but  which  of  them  will  advance  you  four 
or  five  thousand  pounds,  as  a  gratuity?  My  daughter 
must  be  supported  according  to  her  rank  and  stand 
ing  in  life.  Are  you  enabled  to  do  this?  If  not,  you 
cannot  reasonably  suppose  that  I  shall  consent  to 
your  marrying  her.  You  may  say  that  your  ac 
quirements,  your  prudence  and  your  industry,  will 
procure  you  a  handsome  support.  This  well  may 
do  in  single  life;  but  to  depend  on  these  for  the  fu 
ture  exigencies  of  a  family,  is  hazarding  peace,  hon 
or  and  reputation  at  a  single  game  of  chance.  If, 
therefore,  you  have  no  resources  or  expectations  but 
euch  as  these,  your  own  judgment  will  teach  you 
the  necessity  of  immediately  relinquishing  all  pre 
tensions  to  the  hand  of  Melissa' —  and  immediately 
left  the  room. 

Why  was  Alonzo  speechles  through  the  whole  of 
this  discourse  ? — What  reply  could  he  have  made? 
What  were  the  prospects  before  him  but  penury, 
want,  misery  and  woe!  Where  indeed,  were  the 
means  by  which  Melissa  was  to  be  shielded  from 
poverty,  if  connected  with  his  fortunes.  The  idea 
was  not  new,  but  it  came  upon  him  with  redoubled 
anguish.  He  arose  and  looked  around  for  Melis 
sa,  but  she  was  not  to  be  seen.  He  left  the  house 
and  walked  slowly  towards  Vincent's.  At  a  little 
distance  he  met  Melissa,  who  had  been  strolling 
in  an  adjoining  avenue.  He  informed  her  of  all 
that  had  passed,  it  was  no  more  than  they  both  ex 
pected,  yet  it  was  a  shock  their  fortitude  could 
scarcely  contain.  Disappointment  seldom  finds  her 
votaries  prepared  to  receive  her. 

Melissa  told  Alonzo  that  her  father's  determina 
tions  were  unchangable;  that  his  sister  (the  beforo 
mentioned  maiden  lady)  held  a  considerable  in- 


46  AI.ONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

fluence  over  him  and  dictated  the  concerns  of  tho 
family;  and  that  from  her  there  was  nothing  to 
hope  in  their  favor.  Her  mother  she  said  was  her 
friend,  but  could  not  contradict  the  will  of  her  fa 
ther.  Her  brother  would  be  at  home  in  a  few  days; 
how  he  would  act  on  this  occasion  she  was  unable 
to  say:  but  were  he  even  their  friend  he  would  have 
but  feeble  influence  with  her  father  and  aunt.  «  What 
is  to  be  the  end  of  these  troubles,'  continued  Melis 
sa,  c  it  is  impossible  to  foresee.  Let  us  trust  in  the 
mercy  of  heaven  and  submit  to  its  dispensations.' 

Alonzo  and  Melissa,  in  their  happier  days,  had, 
when  absent,  corresponded  by  letters.  This  method 
it  was  now  thought  best  to  relinquish.  It  was  agreed 
that  Alonzo  should  come  frequently  to  Vincent's, 
where  Melissa  would  meet  him  as  she  could  find 
opportunities.  Having  concluded  on  this,  Melissa 
returned  home,  and  Alonzo  to  the  house  of  his 
friend. 

Vincent,  after  Alonzo  had  related  his  reception  at 
Melissa's  father's,  urged  the  plan  he  had  projected, 
of  a  private  marriage.  Alonzo  replied,  that,  even 
should  Melissa  consent  to  it,  which  he  much  doubt 
ed,  it  must  be  a  measure  of  the  last  resorl,  and 
adopted  only  when  all  others  became  fruitless. 

The  next  morning  Alonzo  returned  to  the  hut 
where  his  aged  parents  now  dwelt.  His  bosom 
throbbed  with  keen  anguish.  His  own  fate,  uncon 
nected  with  that  of  Melissa,  he  considered  of  little 
consequence.  But  what  was  to  become  of  Melissa, 
what  of  himself,  what  of  his  parents  ! — 'Alas,'  said 
Alonzo,  *  I  now  perceive  what  it  is  to  want  the 
good  things  of  this  life.' 

Alonzo'  father  was  absent  when  he  arrived,  but 
returned  soon  after.  A  beam  of  joy  gleamed  upon 
his  withered  countenance  as  he  entered  the  house. 


===t___^a=c= 


ALONZO    A-ND    MELISSA.  47 

were  it  not,  Alonzo,  for  your  unhappy  situation,' 
said  he,  *  we  should  once  more  be  restored  to  peace 
and  comfort.  A  few  persons  who  were  indebted  to 
me,  finding  that  I  was  to  be  sacrificed  by  my  unfeel 
ing  creditors,  reserved  those  debts  in  their  hands, 
mid  have  now  paid  me,  amounting  to  something 
more  than  five  hundred  pounds.  With  this  I  havs 
purchased  a  small  but  well  cultivated  farm,  with 
convenient  tenements.  I  have  enough  left  to  pur 
chase  what  stock  and  other  materials  I  need;  and 
to  spare  some  for  your  present  exigencies,  Alonzo.' 
Alonzo  thanked  his  father  for  his  kindness  ; 
but  told  him  from  his  former  liberality  he  had  yet 
sufficient  for  his  wants,  and  that  he  should  soon 
find  business  which  would  amply  support  him.  «  But 
your  affair  with  Melissa,'  asked  his  father,  *  how  is 
it  likely  to  terminate  ?'  *  Favorably,  I  hope  sir,' 
answered  Alonzo.  He  could  not  consent  to  disturb 
the  tranquility  of  his  parents  by  reciting  his  own 
wretchedness. 

A  week  passed  away.  Alonzo  saw  his  parents 
removed  to  their  little  farm,  which  was  to  be  man 
aged  by  his  father  and  a  hired  man.  He  saw  them 
comfortably  seated;  he  saw  them  serenely  blest  in 
the  calm  pleasures  of  returning  peace,  and  a  ray  of 
joy  illuminated  his  troubled  bosom. 

'  Again  the  youth  his  wonted  life  regain'd 

A  transient  sparkle  in  his  eye  obtain'd, 

A  bright  impassion'd  cheering  glow,  express'd 

The  pleas'd  sensation  of  his  tender  breast: 

But  soon  dark  glooms  the  feeble  smiles  o'erspread; 

Like  morn's  gray  hues,  the  fading  splendors  fled 

Returning  anguish  froze  his  feeling  soul, 

Deep  sighs  burst  forth,  and  tears  began  to  rolL* 


48  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

He  thought  of  Melissa,  from  whom  he  had  heard 
nothing  since  he  last  saw  her.  He  thought  of  the 
difficulties  which  surrounded  him.  He  thought  of 
the  barriers  which  were  opposed  to  his  happiness 
and  the  felicity  of  Melissa,  and  he  set  out  for  the 
house  of  Vincent. 

Alonzo  arrived  at  the  residence  of  Vincent  near 
the  close  of  the  day:  Vincent  and  his  lady  were  at 
tea  with  several  young  ladies  who  had  passed  the 
afternoon  with  Mrs.  Vincent.  Alonzo  cast  an  ac 
tive  glance  around  the  company  in  hopes  to  find  Me 
lissa,  but  she  was  not  there.  He  was  invited  and 
accepted  a  seat  at  table.  After  tea  Vincent  led 
him  into  an  adjoining  room.  '  You  have  come  in 
good  time,'  said  he.  «  Something  must  speedily  be 
done,  or  you  lose  Melissa  forever.  The  day  after 
you  were  here,  her  father  received  a  letter  from 
Beauman,  in  which  after  mentioning  the  circum 
stance  of  your  father's  insolvency,  he  hinted  that  the 
consequence  would  probably  be  a  failure  of  her 
proposed  marriage  with  you  which  might  essential 
ly  injure  the  reputation  of  a  lady  of  her  standing  in 
life:  to  prevent  which,  and  to  place  her  beyond  tho 
reach  of  calumny,  he  offered  to  marry  her  at  any 
appointed  day,  provided  he  had  her  free  consent. 

*  As  Beaurnan,  by  the  recent  death  of  his  father, 
had  been  put  in  possession  of  a  splendid  fortune,  tho 
proposition  allured  her  father,  who  wrote  him  a 
complaisant  answer,  with  an  invitation  to  his  house. 
He  then  strove  to  extort  a  promise  from  Melissa, 
that  she  would  break  off  all  connexion  with  you, 
see  you  no  more,  and  admit  the  addresses  of  Beau- 
man. 

To  this  she  could  not  consent.  She  urged,  that 
by  the  consent  of  her  parents  she  was  engaged  to 
you  by  the  most  sacred  ties.  That  t:>  her  fatker'i 


L 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  49 

will  she  had  hitherto  yielded  implicit  obec'ience,  but 
that  hastily  to  break  the  most  solemn  obligation, 
formed  and  sanctioned  by  his  approbation  and  d:- 
rection,  was  what  her  conscience  would  not  permit 
her  to  do.  Were  he  to  command  her  to  live  single, 
life  might  be  endured;  but  to  give  her  hand  to  any 
except  you  would  be  to  purjure  those  principles  01 
truth  and  justice  which  he  himself  had  ever  taught 
her  to  hold  most  inviolable.  Her  father  grew  out 
rageous;  charged  her  with  disobedience,  with  a  blind 
inconsiderate  perverseness,  by  which  she  would 
bring  ruin  upon  herself,  and  indelible  disgrace  upon 
her  family.  She  answered  only  with  her  tears.  Her 
mother  interposed,  and  endeavored  to  appease  his 
anger;  but  he  spurned  her  from  him,  and  rushed  out 
of  the  room,  uttering  a  threat  that  force  should  suc 
ceed  persuasion,  if  his  commands  were  not  obeyed. 
To  add  to  Melissa's  distress,  Beauman  arrived  at 
her  father's  yesterday;  and  I  hope,  in  some  meas 
ure  to  alleviate  it,  Edgar,  her  brother,  came  this 
morning. — Mrs.  Vincent  has  dispatched  a  message 
to  inform  Melissa  of  your  arrival,  and  to  desire  her 
to  come  here  immediately.  She  will  undoubtely  com 
ply  with  the  invitation,  if  not  prevented  by  something 
extraordinary.  1  should  have  written  you  had  I  no. 
hourly  expected  you.' 

Mrs.  Vincent  now  came  to  the  door  of  the  room 
and  beckoned  to  her  husband,  who  went  out,  but 
immediately  returned,  leading  in  Melissa,  after  which 
he  retired.  '  Oh,  Alonzo!'  was  all  she  could  say, 
and  burst  into  lears.  Alonxo  led  her  to  a  seat,  gent 
ly  pressed  her  hand,  and  mingled  his  tears  with  hers, 
but  was  unable  to  speak.  Rt covering  at  length,  he 
begged  her  to  moderate  her  grief.  '  Where,'  said 
he,  '  is  your  fortitude  and  firmness,  Melissa,  \vhich  I 
have  so  often  seen  triumphing  over  ailhction:'  11  a* 


»>0  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

extreme  anguish  prevented  a  reply.  Deeply  afiect* 
ed  and  alarmed  at  the  storm  of  distress  whfch  rag 
ed  in  her  bosom,  he  endeavored  to  console  her, 
though  consolation  was  a  slranger  to  his  own 
breast.  *  Let  us  not,  Melissa,'  said  he,  '  increase  our 
flood  of  aff.iction  by  a  tide  of  useless  sorrow.  Per 
haps  more  prosperous  days  are  yet  in  reserve  for  us; 
— happiness  may  yet  be  ours.'  *  Never,  never,'  she 
exclaimed.  'Oh,  what  will  become  of  me  !'  *  Heaven 
cannot  desert  you,'  said  Alonzo;  «  as  well  might  it 
desert  its  angels.  Tliis  thorny  and  gloomy  path 
may  lead  to  fair  fields  of  light  and  verdure.  Tem 
pests  are  succeeded  by  calms;  wars  end  in  peace; 
the  splendors  of  the  brightest  morning  arise  on  the 
wings  of  the  blackest  midnight.  Troubles  will  not 
always  last.  Life  at  most  is  short.  Death  comes 
to  the  relief  of  the  virtuous  wretched,  and  transports 
them  to  another  and  a  better  world,  where  sighing 
and  sorrows  cease,  and  the  tempestuous  passions  of 
life  are  known  no  more.' 

The  rage  of  grief  which  had  overwhelmed  Melis 
sa  began  now  to  subside,  as  the  waves  of  the  ocean 
gradually  cease  their  tumultuous  commotion, after  the 
turbulent  winds  are  laid  asleep.  Deep  sobs  and  long 
drawn  sighs  succeeded  to  a  suffocation  of  tears.  The 
irritation  of  her  feelings  had  caused  a  more  than 
usual  glow  upon  her  cheek,  which  faded  away  a* 
she  became  composed,  until  a  livid  paleness  spread 
itself  over  her  features.  Alonzo  feared  that  the 
delicacy  of  her  constitution  would  fall  a  sacrifice  to 
the  sorrow  which  preyed  upon  her  heart,  if  not 
speedily  alleviated;  But  alas!  where  were  the  means 
of  alleviation  ? 

She  informed  him  that  her  father  had  that  eve 
ning  ordered  her  to  become  the  wife  of  Beanman. 
He  told  her  that  her  disobedience  was  no  longer  to 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  51 

be  borne. — '  No  longer,  '  said  he,  '  will  I  tamper 
with  your  perverseness-  you  are  determined  to  be 
poor,  wretched  and  contemptible.  I  will  compel 
you  to  be  rich  happy  and  respected.  You  suffer 
the  Jack-wilh-a-lantern  fancy  to  lead  you  into 
swamps  and  quagmires,  when,  did  you  but  follow 
the  fair  light  of  reason,  it  would  conduct  you  to 
honor  and  real  felicity.  There  are  happiness  and 
misery  at  your  choice. 

*  Marry  Beauman  and  you  will  roll  in  your  coach, 
flaunt  in  your  silks;  your  furniture  and  your  equip 
age  are    splendid,  your   associates  are  of  the   first 
character,  and  your  father  rejoices  in  your   prosper 
ity. 

*  Marry  Alonzo,  yon  sink  into  obscurity,  are  con 
demned  to  drudgery,  poorly  fed,  worse  clothed,  and 
your  relations  and  acquaintances  shun  and   despise 
you.     The  comparison  I  have   here  drawn   between 
Beauman  and  Alonzo  is  a  correct  one;  for   even  the 
wardrobe  of  the  former  is  of  more  value  than   the 
whole  fortune  of  the  latter. 

'  I  give  you  now  two  days  to  consider  of  the  mat 
ter;  at  the  end  of  that  time  1  shall  expect  your  de 
cision,  and  hope  you  will  decide  discreetly.  But 
remember  that  you  become  the  wife  of  Beauman,or 
you  are  no  longer  acknowledged  as  my  daughter.' 

*  Thus,'  said  Melisssa,  *  did  my  father  pronounce 
his  determination,  which  shook  my  frame,  and  chil 
led  with  horror  every  nerve  of  my  heart,  and  imme 
diately  left  me. 

'  My  aunt  added  her  taunts  to  his  severities,  and 
Beauman  interfered  with  his  ill-timed  consolation, 
My  mother  and  Edgar  ardently  strove  to  allay  the 
fever  of  my  soul,  and  mitigate  my  distress.  But  the 
stroke  was  almost  too  severe  for  my  nature.  Habit 
uated  only  to  the  smiles  of  my  father,  how  could  * 


52  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

support    his   frowns  ? — Accustomed    tc   receive  his 
blessings  alone,  how  could  I  endure  his  sudden  mai 
ediction  ?' 

Description  would  fail  in  painting  the  sensations 
of  Alonzo's  bosom,  at  this  recital  of  woe.  But  he 
endeavored  to  mitigate  her  sorrows  by  the  consola 
tion  of  more  cheering  prospects  and  happier  hours. 

Vincent  and  his  lady  now  came  into  the  room. 
They  strenuously  urged  the  propriety  and  the  neces 
sity  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa's  enteiJng  into  the  bands 
of  wedlock  immediately.  '  The  measure  would  be 
hazardous,'  remarked  Melissa.  '  My  circumstan 
ces' — said  Alonzo.  '  Not  on  that  account,'  inter 
rupted  Melissa,  *  but  my  father's  displeasure ' 

*  Will  be  the  same  whether  you  marry  Alonzo  or 
refuse  to  marry  Beauman,'  replied  Vincent.  Her 
resolution  appeared  to  be  staggered. 

*  Come  here,  Melissa,  to-morrow  evening,'  said 
Mrs.  Vincent,  '  mean  time  you  will  consider  the 
matter,  and  then  determine.'  To  this  Melissa  as 
sented,  and  prepared  to  return  home. 

Alonzo  walked  with  her  to  the  gate  which  open 
ed  into  the  yard  surrounding  her  father's  house.  It 
was  dangerous  for  him  to  go  farther.  Should  he 
be  discovered  with  Melissa,  even  by  a  domestic  of 
the  family,  it  must  increase  the  persecutions  against 
her.  They  parted.  Alonzo  stood  at  the  gate,  gaz 
ing  anxiously  after  Melissa  as  she  walked  up  the 
long  winding  avenue,  bordered  with  the  odor  flow 
ing  lilac,  and  lofty  elm,  her  white  robes  now  invisi 
ble,  now  dimly  seen  as  she  turned  the  angles  of  the 
walk,  until  they  were  totally  obscured,  mingling 
with  the  gloom  and  darkness  of  the  night.  'Thus,' 
said  Alonzo,  '  thus  fades  the  angel  of  peace  from 
the  visionary  eves  of  the  war-worn  soldier,  when  it 
ascends  in  the  dusky  clouds  of  early  morning,  whilo 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  53 

he  slumbers  on  the  field  of  recent  battle.' — With 
mournful  forebodings  he  returned  to  the  house  of 
Vincent.  He  arose  after  a  sleepless  night,  and 
walked  into  an  adjoining  field.  He  stood  leaning  in 
deep  contemplation  against  a  tree  when  he  heard 
quick  footsteps  behind  him.  He  turned  round  and 
saw  Edgar  approaching:  in  a  moment  they  were  in 
each  other's  arms,  and  mingling  tears.  They  re 
turned  to  Vincent's  and  conversed  largely  on  pres 
ent  affairs.  *  I  have  discoursed  with  my  father  on 
the  subject,'  said  Edgar.  *  1  have  urged  him  with 
every  possible  augument  to  relinquish  his  determin 
ation :  I  fear,  however,  he  is  inflexible. 

'  To  assuage  the  tempest  of  grief  which  rent  Me 
lissa's  bosom  was  my  next  object,  and  in  this  I 
(rust  I  have  not  been  unsucessful.  You  will  see 
her  this  evening,  and  will  find  her  more  calm  and 
resigned.  You,  Alonzo,  must  ever  exert  your  forti 
tude.  The  ways  of  heaven  are  inscrutable,  but  they 
ire  right. 

'  We  must  acquiesce  in  its  dealings.  We  cannot 
alter  its  decrees.  Resignation  to  its  will,  whether 
tnerciful  or  aftictive,  is  one  of  those  eminent  virtues 
which  adorn  the  good  man's  character,  and  ever 
find  a  brilliant  reward  in  the  regions  of  unsullied 
splendor,  far  beyond  trouble  and  the  tomb.' 

Edgar  told  Alonzo  that  circumstances  compelled 
him  that  day  to  depart  for  the  army.  '  I  would  ad 
vise  you,'  said  he,  '  to  remain  here  till  your  affair 
comes  to  some  final  issue.  It  must,  I  think,  ere 
long,  be  terminated.  Perhaps  you  and  my  sister 
may  yet  be  happy.' 

Alonzo  feelingly  expressed  his  gratitude  to  Edgar. 
He  found  in  him  that  disinterested  friendship;  which 
h  s  early  youth  had  experienced.  Edgar,  the  same 
day,,  departed  for  the  army. 


54  ALDNZO    AMI     ME1ISBA. 

In  the  afternoon,  Alonzo  received  a  note  from 
Melissa's  father,  requesting  his  immediate  attend 
ance.  Surprised  at  the  incident,  he  repaired  there 
immediately.  The  servant  introduced  him  into  a 
room  where  Melissa's  father  and  aunt  were  sitting. 
— *  Hearing  you  were  in  the  neighborhood,'  said 
her  father,  «  I  have  sent  for  you  to  make  a  proposi 
tion,  which,  after  what  has  taken  place,  I  think  you 
cannot  hesitate  to  comply  with.  The  occurrence  of 
previous  circumstances  may  lead  you  to  suppose  that 
my  daughter  is  under  obligations  to  you,  which 
may  render  it  improper  for  her  to  form  marriage  con 
nexions  with  any  other.  Whatever  embarrassments 
your  addresses  to  her  may  have  produced,  it  is  in 
your  power  to  remove  them.  You  cannot  wish  to 
involve  Melissa  in  your  present  penurious  condition, 
unless  you  wish  to  make  her  wretched.  It  there 
fore  only  remains  for  you  to  give  me  a  writing,  vol 
untarily  resigning  all  pretensions  to  the  hand  of  my 
daughter;  and  if  you  wish  her  to  be  happy,  honor 
able  and  respected  in  this  life,  this  I  say,  you  will 
not  hesitate  to  do. 

A  considerable  pause  ensued.  Alonzo  at  length 
replied,  '  I  cannot  perceive  any  particular  advantage 
that  can  accrue  from  such  a  measure.  It  will  nei 
ther  add  nor  diminish  the  power  you  possess  to 
command  obedience  to  your  will,  if  you  are  deter 
mined  to  command  it,  either  from  your  daughter  or 

your  servant.' 

« There,  brother/  bawled  the  old  maid,  half 
speaking  through  her  nose,  which  was  well  charged 
with  rappee,  *  did'nt  I  tell  you  so?  I  knew  the  fel 
low  would  not  come  to  terms,  no  more  than  wil" 
you  refractory  daughter.  This  love  fairly  bewitch 
es  such  foolish,  crack-brained  youngsters.  But  say, 
Mr. ,  what's  your  name,'"«ui dressing  herself  to 


ALONZO    AMD    MELISSA.  58 

Alonzo,  «  will  love  heat  the  oven  ?  will  love  boil  th« 
pot  ?  will  love  clothe  the  back?  will  love * 

*  You    will    not,'    interrupted    Melissa's     father, 
speaking  to  Alonzo,  'it  seems  consent  to  my  propo 
sition  ?  I  have  then  one  demand  to   make,  which  of 
right  you  cannot  deny.     Promise  rne   that    you    will 
never  see  my   daughter  again,  unless   by   my   per 
mission.' 

«  At  the  present  moment,  I  shall  promise  you 
nothing,'  replied  Alonzo,  with  some  warmth. 

'  There,  again,'  said  the  old  rnaid,  '  just  so  Me- 
.issa  told  you  this  morning,  when  you  requested  her 
to  see  him  no  more.  The  fellow  has  fairly  betwat- 
tled  her.  I  wish  I  had  him  to  deal  with.  Things 
was'nt  so  when  I  wus  a  girl;  I  kept  the  rogues  at  a 
distance.  I'll  warrant  you.  I  always  told  you  brothei 
what  would  come  of  your  indulgence  to  your  daugh 
ter.  I  should  not  wonder  if  you  should  soon  find 
the  girl  had  eloped,  and  your  desk  robbed  in  the 
bargain  * 

Alonzo  hastily  arose:  *  I  suppose,  said  he,  my 
presence  can  be  dispensed  with.' 

*  Well,  young  man,'  said  Melissa's  father,  '  since 
you  will  not   comply  with    any    overtures    I    make; 
since  you  will  not  accede  to    any    terms  I    propose, 
remember,  sir,  I  now  warn  you  to  break  off  all  com 
munication  and  correspondence  with  my    daughter, 
and  tr  relinquish  all  expectations  concerning  her.    I 
shall  iv  ver  consent  to  marry  my  daughter  to  a  beg 
gar.' 

«  Be.fv  art*  involuntarily  exclaimed  Alonzo  and 
his  eyes  flashed  with  resentment. — But  he  recol 
lected  that  it  was  the  father  of  Melissa  who  had 
thus  insulted  him,  and  he  suppressed  his  anger.  He 
rushed  out  of  the  house,  and  returned  to  Vincent's. 


66  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

He  had  neither  heard  nor  seen  any  thing  cf  Melia* 
sa  or  Beauman. 

Night,  came  on,  and  he  ardently  and  impatiently 
expected  Melissa.  He  anticipated  the  con.«o!atio» 
her  presence  would  bestow.  Edgar  had  told  him 
she  was  more  composed.  He  doubted  whether  it 
were  proper  to  excite  anew  her  distress  by  relating 
his  interview  with  her  father,  unless  she  was  ap 
praised  of  it.  The  evening  passed  on,  but  Melissa 
came  not.  Alonzo  grew  restless  and  uneasy.  He 
looked  out,  then  at  his  watch.  Vincent  and  his  la 
dy  assured  him  that  she  would  soon  be  there.  He 
paced  the  room.  Still  he  became  more  impatient, 
he  walked  out  on  the  way  where  she  was  expected 
to  come.  Sometimes  he  advanced  hastily;  at  others 
he  moved  slowly;  then  stood  motionless,  listening 
in  breathless  silence,  momentarily  expecting  to  dis 
cover  her  white  form  approaching  through  the 
gloom,  or  to  hear  the  sound  of  her  footsteps  advanc 
ing  amidst  the  darkness.  Shapeless  objects,  either 
real  or  imaginary,  frequently  crossed  his  sight,  but 
like  the  unreal  phantoms  of  night,  they'  suddenly 
passed  away,  and  were  seen  no  more.  At  length 
he  perceived  a  dusky  white  form  advancing  in  the 
distant  dim  obscurity.  It  drew  near;  his  heart  beat 
in  quick  succession;  his  fond  hopes  told  him  it  was 
Melissa.  The  object  came  up  and  hastily  passed 
him,  with  a  '  good  night  sir.' 

It  was  a  stranger  in  a  white  surtout.  Alonzo 
hesitated  whether  to  advance  or  to  return.  It  was 
possible,  though  not  probable,  that  Melissa  might 
have  come  some  other  way.  He  hastened  back  to 
Vincent's — she  had  not  arrived.  *  Something  ex 
traordinary,'  said  Mrs.  Vincent  '  has  prevented  her 
coming.  Perhaps  she  is  ill.'  Alonzo  shuddered  at 
the  suggestion.  He  looked  at  his  vatch;it  was  half 


1LONZO    AND    MELISSA.  57 

past  eleven  o'clock.     Again  he    hastily  sallied   out, 
nnd  took  the  road  to  her  father's. 

The  night  was  exceedingly  dark,  and  illuminated 
only  by  the  feeble  glimmering  of  the  twinkling  stars. 
When  he  came  within  sight  of  the  house,  and  as  he 
drew  near  no  lights  were  visible — all  was  still  and 
silent.  He  entered  the  yard,  walked  up  the  ave 
nue,  and  approached  the  door.  The  familiar  watch 
dog,  which  lay  near  the  threshold,  fawned  upon  him, 
joyfully  whining  and  wagging  his  tail.  '  Thou  still 
knowest  me,  Carlow,'  said  Alonzo,  'thou  hast  known 
me  in  better  days;  I  am  now  poor  and  wretched, 
but  thy  friendship  is  the  same.'  A  solemn  stillness 
prevailed  all  around,  interrupted  only  by  the  dis 
cordance  of  the  nightly  insects,  and  the  hooting  of 
the  moping  owl  from  the  neighboring  forest. — The 
dwelling  was  shrouded  in  darkness.  In  Melissa's 
room  no  gleam  of  light  appeared.  *  They  are  all 
buried  in  sleep,'  said  Alonzo  deeply  sighing,  *  and  I 
have  only  to  return  in  disappointment.' 

He  turned  and  walked  towards  the  street:  casting 
his  eyes  back,  the  blaze  of  a  candle  caught  his  sight. 
It  passed  rapidly  along  through  the  lower  rooms, 
now  gleaming,  now  intercepted,  as  the  walls  or  the 
windows  intervened,  and  suddenly  disappeared. 
Alonzo  gazed  earnestly  a  few  moments  and  hastily 
returned  back.  No  noise  was  to  be  heard,  no  new 
objects  were  discernable.  He  clambered  over  the 
garden  wall,  and  went  around  to  the  back  side  of 
the  house.  Here  all  was  solemn  and  silent  as  in 
front.  Immediately  a  faint  light  appeared  through 
one  of  the  chamber  windows;  it  grew  brighter;  a 
can  He  entered  the  chamber;  the  sash  was  flung  up, 
anu  Melissa  seated  herself  at  the  window. 

The  weather  was  sultry,  she  held  a  fan  in  her 
band;  her  countenance,  though  stamped  with  deep 


68  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

dejection,  was  marked  with  serenity,  but  pale  as  the 
drooping  lilly  of  the  valley.  A lonzo  placed  himself 
directly  under  the  window,  and  in  a  low  voice  cal 
led  her  by  name.  She  started  wildly,  looked  out 
and  faintly  cried,  *  Who's  there  ?'  He  answered, 
*AIon7,o.'  '  Good  heavens,'  she  exclaimed,  *  is  it 
you,  A  lonzo  ?  I  was  disappointed  in  meeting  you  at 
Vincent's  this  evening  ;  my  father  will  not  suffer 
me  to  go  out  without  attendants.  I  am  now  con 
stantly  watched  and  guarded.' 

*  Watched  and  guarded."  replied  Alonzo;  *  At  the 
risk  of  my  life  I  will  deliver  you    from   the    tyranny 
with  which  you  are  oppressed.' 

*  Be  calm,  Alonzo,'  said  she,  '  I  think  it   will  not 
Vast  long.     Beauman  will    soon  depart,  after   which 
liiere  will  undoubtedly  be  some    alteration.     Desire 
Mrs.  Vincent  to    come    here    to-morrow;  I    believe 
they  will  let  me  see  her.     I  can,   from  time  to  time 
inform  you  of  passing  events,  so  that  you  may  know 
what  changes  take    place.     I  am  placed    under  the 
care  of  my  aunt,  who  suffers  me  not  to  step  out  of  her 
sight.     We  pass  the  night  in  an   adjoining  chamber, 
from  whence,  after  she  bed  fallen  asleep,  I  stole  out, 
and  went  down  with  a    design   of  walking    in    the 
garden,  but    found    the    doors    all    locked  and   the 
keys  taken  out.     I  returned  and  raised  this   window 
for  fresh  air.    Hark!'  said  she,  '  my  aunt    calls  me. 
she  has  waked  and  misses   me.     I  must  fly    to   her 
chamber.     You  shall  hear  more  from  me  to-morrow 
by  Mrs.  Vincent,  Alonzo.'     So  saying  she  let  down 
the  window  sash  and  retired. 

Alonzo  withdrew  slowly  from  the  place,  and  re- 
passed  the  way  he  came.  As  he  jumped  back  over 
the  garden  wall,  he  found  a  man  standing  at  its  foot, 
very  near  him:  After  a  moment's  scrutiny  he  per 
ceived  it  to  be  Beauman.  *  What,  my  chevalier, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA  S9 

said  he  to  Alonzo,'  such  an  adept  in  the  amorous 
science  already!  hast  thou  then  eluded  the  watchful 
eyes  of  Argus,  and  the  vigilance  of  the  dragon?' 

*  Unfeeling  and    impertinent    intruder  ?'    retorted 
Alonzo,  seizing  hold  of  him;  *  is  it   not  enough  that 
an  innocent  daughter  must  endure  a  merciless  pa 
rent's  persecuting  hand,   but   must  thou  add  to    her 
misery  by  thy  disgusting  interference!' 

*  Quit  thy  hold,  Tarquin,'   said  Beauman.     *  Art 
thou  determined,  after  storming  the  fortress,  to  mur 
der  the  garrison  ?' 

*  Go,'  said  Alonzo,  quitting  him;'  go,  sir,  you  are 
unworthy   of   my   anger.      Pursue    thy    groveling 
schemes.     Strive  to  force  to  your  arms  a  lady   who 
abhors  you,  and  were  it   not  on   one  account,  must 
ever  continue  to  hate  and  despise  you.' 

*  Alonzo,'    replied    Beauman,    *  I    perceive   thou 
knowest  me  not.     You  and  I  were  rivals  in  our  pur 
suit— the  hand  of  Melissa.     Whether  from    freak  or 
fortune,  the    preference   was  given  to  you  and  I  re 
tired  in  silence.     From  coincidence   of  circumstanc 
es,  her  father  has  now    been    induced    to    give    the 
preference   to    me.     My    belief  was    that    Melissa 
would  comply  with  her  father's  will,  especially  after 
her  prospects  of  connecting    with    you    were  cut  off 
by  the  events  which  ruined  your  fortune.  You,  Alon 
zo,  have  yet  I  find,  to  learn  the  character  of  women. 
It  has  been  my  particular  study.     Melissa,  now  ar- 
de.itly  impassioned  by  first  impressions,  irritated   by 
recent    disappointment,    her  passions    delicate    and 
vivid,  her  affections  animated  and  unmixed,  it  would 
be  strange,  if  she  could    suddenly  relinquish  primi 
tive  attachments  founded  on  such  premises,  withcut 
a  struggle.     But   remove    her   from   your   preset ce 
one  year,  with  only  distant  and   uncertain  prospe  ti 
of  seeing  you  again  admit  me  as  the   substitute    a 


(10  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

your  absence,  and  she  accepts  my  hand. as  freely  as 
she  would  now  receive  yours.  I  had  no  design — it 
was  never  my  wish  to  marry  her  without  her  con 
sent.  That  I  believe  I  shall  yet  obtain.  Under  ex 
isting  circumstances,  it  is  impossible  but  you  must 
be  separated  for  some  considerable  time.  Then 
when  cool  deliberation  succeeds  to  the  wild  vaga 
ries,  the  electric  fire  of  frolic  fancy,  she  will  discov 
er  the  dangerous  precipice,  the  deadly  abyss  to 
which  her  present  conduct  and  inclinations  lead. 
She  will  see  that  the  blandishments,  without  the  pos 
session  of  life  will  fade  and  die.  She  will  discrimi 
nate  between  the  shreds  and  trappings  of  taste.  She 
will  prefer  indifference  and  splendor  to  love  and  a 
cottage. 

'At  present  I  relinquish  all  further  pursuit;  to 
morrow  I  return  to  New-London.  When  Melissa 
from  calm  deliberation  and  the  advice  of  friends,  shall 
freely  consent  to  yield  me  her  hand,  I  shall  return 
to  receive  it.  I  came  from  mv  lodgings  this  evening 
to  declare  these  intentions  to  her  father:  but  it  be 
ing  later  than  I  was  aware  of,  the  family  had  gono 
to  rest.  I  was  about  to  return,  when  I  saw  a  light 
from  a  chamber  window,  which  soon  withdrew.  I 
stood  a  moment  by  the  garden  wall,  when  you  ap- 
approached  and  discovered  me.'  So  saying,  he  bade 
Alonzo  good  night,  and  walked  hastily  away.  *  I 
find  he  knows  not  the  character  of  Melissa,'  saiJ 
Alonzo,  and  returned  to  Vincent's. 

The  next  day  Alonzo  told  the  Vincents  of  all  that 
had  passed,  and  it  was  agreed  that  Mrs.  Vincent 
should  visit  at  Melissa's  father's  that  afternoon.  She 
went  at  an  early  hour.  Alonzo's  feelings  were  on, 
the  rack  until  she  returned,  which  happened  much 
sooner  than  was  expected;  when  she  gave  him  and 
Vincent  the  f  'tawing  information: 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  31 

'  When  I  arrived  there,  said  she,  I  found  Melissa's 
father  and  mother  alone,  her  mother  was  in  tears, 
which  she  endeavored  to  conceal.  Her  father  soon 
withdrew.  After  some  conversation  I  enquired  for 
Melissa.  The  old  lady  burst  into  tears,  and  inform 
ed  me  that  this  morning  Melissa's  aunt  had  invit 
ed  her  to  ride  out  with  her.  A  carriage  was  pro 
vided,  which  after  a  large  trunk  had  been  placed 
therein  drove  off  with  Melissa  and  her  aunt;  that 
Melissa's  father  had  just  been  informing  her  that  he 
had  sent  their  daughter  to  a  distant  part  of  the 
country,  where  sne  was  to  reside  with  a  friend  un 
til  Alonzo  shou!  i  depart  from  the  neighoorhooJ. 
The  reason  of  this  sudden  resolution  was  his  being 
informed  by  Beauman,  that  notwithstanding  his 
precaution,  Melissa  and  Alonzo  had  an  interview 
the  last  evening.  Where  she  was  sent  to  the  old 
lady  could  not  tell,  but  she  was  convinced  that  Me 
lissa  was  not  apprised  of  the  design  when  she  con 
sented  to  go.  Her  aunt  had  heretofore  been  living 
with  the  relatives  of  the  family  in  various  parts  of 
the  state.' 

Alonzo  listened  to  Mrs.  Vincent's  relation  with  in 
expressible  agitation.  He  sat  silent  a  few  moments; 
then  suddenly  starting  up,  *  I  will  find  her  if  she  bo 
on  the  earth!'  said  he,  and  in  spite  of  Vincent's  at 
tempts  to  prevent  him,  rushed  out  of  the  house,  flew 
to  the  road  and  was  soon  out  of  sight. 

Melissa  had  not  the  most  distant  suspicion  of  tho 
designs  of  her  father  and  aunt.  The  latter  inform 
ed  her  that  she  was  going  to  take  a  monvng  ride, 
and  invited  Melissa  to  accompany  her,  to  which  sho 
consented.  She  did  not  even  oerceive  the  trunk 
that  was  fastend  on  behind  itie  carriage.  They 
were  attended  by  a  single  servant.  They  drove  to 
a  neighboring  town,  where  Melissa  had  frequently 


62  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

attended  her  father  and  mother  to  purchase  articles 
of  dress,  &c  where  they  alighted  at  a  friend's  house, 
and  lingered  away  the  time  until  dinner;  after 
which,  ihey  prepared  as  Melissa  supposed,  to  return, 
but  found,  to  her  surprise,  after  they  had  entered 
the  carriage,  that  her  aunt  had  ordered  the  driver 
to  proceed  a  different  way.  She  asked  her  aunt 
if  they  were  not  going  home.  «  Not  yet,'  said  she. 
Melissa  grew  uneasy;  she  knew  that  she  was  to  see 
Mrs.  Vincent  that  afternoon;  she  knew  the  disap 
pointment  which  Alonzo  must  experience,  if  she  was 
absent.  Shd  begged  her  aunt  to  return;  as  she  ex 
pected  the  company  of  some  ladies  that  afternoon. 
« Then  they  must  be  disappointed,  child,'  said  her 
aunt.  Melissa  knew  it  was  in  vain  to  remonstrate; 
she  supposed  her  aunt  was  bent  on  visiting  some  ot 
her  acquaintance  and  she  remained  silent. 

They  arrived  at  another  village,  and  alighted  at 
an  inn,  where  Melissa  and  her  aunt  tarried,  while 
the  servant  was  ordered  out  by  the  latter  on  some 
business  unknown  to  Melissa.  When  they  again 
got  into  the  carriage  she  perceived  several  large 
packages  and  bundles,  which  had  been  deposited 
there  since  they  left  it.  She  enquired  of  her  aunt 
what  they  contained.  '  Articles  for  family  use, 
child,'  she  replied,  and  ordered  the  driver  to  pro 
ceed. 

They  passed  along  winding  and  solitary  paths, 
into  a  by-road  which  led  through  an  unfrequented 
wood,  that  opened  into  a  rocky  part  of  the  country 
bordering  on  the  Sound.  Here  they  stopped  at  the 
only  house  in  view.  It  was  a  miserable  hut,  built 
of  logs  and  boarded  wilh  slabs.  They  alighted 
from  the  carriage,  and  Melissa's  aunt  handed  the 
driver  a  large  bunch  of  keys,  «  remember  to  do  as  I 
have  told  you,'  said  she,  and  he  drove  rapidly  away 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  68 

t  was  with  some  difficulty  they  got  into  the  hut,  as 
a  meagre  cow,  with  a  long  yoke  on  her  neck,  a 
board  before  her  eyes,  and  a  cross-piece  on  her 
horns,  stood  with  her  head  in  the  door.  On  one 
side  of  her  were  four  or  five  half  starved,  squeak.ng 
pigs,  on  the  other  a  flock  of  gaggling  geese. 

As  they  entered  the  door  a  woman  who  sat  card 
ing  wool  jumped  up,  '  La  me,'  cried  she,  '  here  is 
Miss  D ,  we- 1  come  here  again.  How  does  ma- 
darn  do?'  dropping  a  low  curtesy.  She  was  dress 
ed  in  a  linsey-woolsey  short  gown,  a  petticoat  of 
the  same,  her  hair  hanging  about  her  ears,  and  bare 
foot.  Three  dirty  ragged  children  were  playing 
about  the  floor,  and  the  furniture  was  of  a  piece 
with  the  building.  '  Is  my  room  in  order,'  enquir 
ed  Melissa's  aunt.  *  It  hasn't  been  touched  since 
madam  was  here,'  answered  the  woman,  and  im 
mediately  stalked  away  to  a  little  back  apartment, 
which  Melissa  and  her  aunt  entered.  It  was  small 
but  neatly  furnished,  and  contained  a  single  bed. 
This  appendage  had  been  concealed  from  Melissa's 
view  as  it  was  the  opposite  side  of  the  house  from 
where  she  alighted.  *  Where  is  John  ?'  asked  Me 
lissa's  aunt.  *  My  husband  is  in  the  garden,'  replied 
the  woman;  I  will  call  him,'  and  out  she  scamper 
ed.  John  soon  appeared  and  exhibited  an  exact 
counterpart  of  his  wife.  '  What  does  madam  please 
to  want,'  said  he,  bowing  three  or  four  times.  *  I 
want  you,  John,'  she  answered,  and  immediately 
stepped  into  the  other  room,  and  gave  some  direc 
tions  in  a  iow  voice,  to  him  and  his  wife.  *  La,  me!' 
said  the  woman,  '  madam  aint  a  going  to  live  in 
that  doleful  place  ?'  Melissa  could  not  understand 
her  aunt's  reply,  but  heard  her  give  directions  to 
*  first  hang  on  the  tea-kettle.'  This  done,  while 
John  and  his  wife  went  out,  Melissa's  aunt  prepar- 


64  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

cd  tea  in  h«r  own  room.  In  aljout  an  hour  John 
and  his  wife  returned,  and  gave  the  same  bunch  of 
keys  to  Melissa's  aunt,  which  she  had  given  to  the 
servant  who  dove  the  carriage. 

Melissa  was  involved  in  inscrutable  mystery  re 
specting  these  extraordinary  proceedJngs.  She  con 
jectured  that  they  boded  her  no  good,  but  she  could 
not  penetrate  into  her  aunt's  designs.  She  frequent 
ly  looked  out,  hoping  to  see  the  carriage  return, 
but  was  disappointed.  When  tea  was  made  ready, 
she  could  neither  eat  nor  drink.  After  her  aunt  had 
disposed  of  a  dozen  cups  of  tea,  and  an  adequate 
proportion  of  biscuit,  butter  and  dried  beef,  she  di 
rected  Melissa  to  prepare  to  take  walk.  The  sun 
was  low;  they  proceeded  through  fields,  in  a  foot 
path,  over  rough  and  uneven  ways,  directly  toward 
the  Sound.  They  walked  about  a  mile,  when  they 
came  lo  a  large,  oldfashioned,  castle  like  building, 
surrounded  by  a  high,  thick  wall,  and  almost  total 
ly  concealed  on  all  sides,  from  the  sight,  by  irregu 
lar  rows  of  large  locusts  and  elm  trees,  dry  prim* 
hedges,  and  green  shrubbery.  The  gate  which  op 
ened  into  the  yard,  was  made  of  strong  hard  wood, 
thickly  crossed  on  the  outside  with  iron  bars,  and 
filled  with  old  iron  spikes.  Melissa's  aunt  unlocked 
the  gate,  and  they  entered  the  yard  which  was 
overgrown  with  rank  crass  and  rushes  ;  the  avenue 
which  led  to  the  house 4»vas  almost  in  the  same  con 
dition.  The  house  was  of  real  Gothic  architecture, 
built  of  rude  stone  with  battlements. 

*The  botanical  name  of  this  shrub  is  not  recol 
lected.  There  were  formerly  a  great  number  of 
prim  hedges  in  New-England  and  other  parts  of 
America.  What  is  most  remarkable  is  that  they  all 
died  the  year  previous  to  the  commencement  of  the 
American  war. 


ALONZO    AND    ME     iSSA.  €5 

The  doors  were  constructed  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  gate  at  which  they  entered  the  yard.  They 
unlocked  the  door,  which  creaked  heavily  on  its 
hinges,  and  went  in.  They  ascended  a  flight  of 
eiairs,  wound  through  several  dark  and  empty  rooms, 
till  they  came  to  one  which  was  handsomely  fur 
nished,  with  a  fire  burning  on  the  hearth.  Two  beds 
were  in  the  room,  with  tables  and  chairs,  and  oth 
er  conveniences  for  house-keeping.  «  Here  we  are 
safe,'  said  Melissa's  aunt,  '  as  I  have  taken  care  (o 
lock  all  the  doors  and  gates  after  me;  and  here, 
Melissa,  you  are  in  the  mansion  of  your  ancestors. 
Your  great  grandfather,  who  came  over  from  Eng- 
lanJ,  built  this  house  in  the  earliest  settlement  of 
the  country,  and  here  he  resided  until  his  death. 
The  reason  why  so  high  and  thick  a  wall  was  built 
round  it-  and  the  doors  and  gates  so  strongly  fortified, 
was  to  secure  it  against  the  Indians,  who  frequently 
committed  depredations  on  the  early  settlers.  Your 
grandfather  carne  in  possession  of  this  estate  after 
his  father's  death:  it  fell  to  me  by  will;  with  the 
lands  surrounding  it.  The  house  has  sometimes  been 
tenanted,  at  others  not.  It  has  now  been  vacant 
for  a  few  years.  The  lands  are  rented  yearly.  John, 
the  person  from  whose  house  we  last  came,  is  my 
overseer  and  tenant.  I  had  a  small  room  built  ad 
joining  that  hut,  where  I  generally  reside  for  a  week 
when  I  come  to  receive  my  rents.  I  have  thought 
frequently  of  fitting  up  this  place  for  my  future  res 
idence,  but  circumstances  have  hitherto  hindered 
me  from  carrying  my  scheme  into  effect,  and  now 
perhaps,  it  will  never  take  place.  '  Your  perverse- 
ness,  Melissa,  in  refusing  to  comply  with  the  wishes 
of  your  friends,  has  induced  us  to  adopt  this  meth 
od  of  bringing  you  here  where  you  are  to  remain 
until  Abnza  leaves  your  neighborhood  at  least. — 


66  ALOJfZO    ABTD    MELISSA. 

Notwithstanding  you  father's  injunctions  and  my 
vigilance,  you  had  a  clandestine  interview  with  him 
last  night.  So  we  were  told  by  Beauman  this  morn 
ing,  before  he  set  off  for  New-London,  who  discov 
ered  him  at  your  window.  It  therefore  became 
necessary  to  remove  you  immediately.  You  will 
want  for  nothing.  John  is  to  supply  us  with  what 
ever  is  needful.  You  will  not  he  long  here;  Alon- 
zo  will  soon  be  gone.  You  will  think  differently; 
return  home,  marry  Beauman,  and  become  a  lady.' 

•  My  God!'  exclaimed  Melissa,  '  is  it  possible  my 
father  can  be  so  cruel!  Is  he  so  unfeeling  as  to  ban 
ish  me  from  his  house,  and  confine  me  within  the 
walls  of  a  prison,  like  a  common  malefactor?'  She 
flung  herself  on  the  bed  in  a  state  little  inferior  to 
distraction.  Her  aunt  told  her  is  was  all  owing  to 
her  own  obstinacy,  and  because  she  refused  to  b« 
made  happy — and  went  to  preparing  supper. 

Melissa  heard  none  of  her  aunt's  observations;  she 
lay  in  stupyfving  agony,  insensible  to  all  that  pass 
ed.  When  supper  was  ready  her  aunt  endeavored 
to  arouse  her.  She  started  up,  stared  around  her 
with  a  wild  agonizing  countenance,  but  spoke  not 
a  word.  Her  aunt  became  alarmed;  she  applied 
stimulants  to  her  temples  and  forehead,  and  persuad 
ed  her  to  take  some  cordials.  She  remained  seem 
ingly  insensible  through  the  night:  just  at  morning 
she  fell  into  a  slumber,  interrupted  by  incoherent 
moanings,  convulsive  starlings,  long  drawn  sighs, 
intermitting  sobs,  and  by  frequent,  sudden  and  rest 
less  turnings,  from  side  to  side.  At  length  she  ap 
peared  to  be  in  a  calm  and  quiet  sleep  for  about  an 
hour.  About  sunrise  she  awoke — her  aunt  set  by 
ber  bedside.  She  ga/ed  languidly  about  the  room, 
and  burst  into  tears.  She  wept  a  long  time;  her 
aunt  strove  to  console  her,  for  she  truly  began  to 


ALON7O    AND    MELISSA.  67 

tremble,  lest  Melissa's  distress  should  produce  her 
immediate  dissolution.  Towards  night  however  she 
became  more  calm  and  resigned;  but  a  slight  fever 
succeeded,  which  kept  her  confined  for  several  days, 
after  which  she  slowly  recovered. 

John  came  frequently  to  the  house  to  receive  the 
commands  of  Melissa's  aunt,  and  brought  such 
things  as  they  wanted.  Her  aunt  also  sometimes 
went  home  with  him,  leaving  the  keys  of  the 
house  with  Melissa,  but  locking  the  gate  and  tak 
ing  the  key  of  that  with  her.  When  Melissa  was 
so  far  recovered  as  to  walk  out,  she  found  that  the 
house  was  situated  on  an  eminence,  about  one  hun 
dred  yards  from  the  Sound.  The  yard  was  large  and 
extensive.  Within  the  enclosure  was  a  spacious  gar 
den,  now  overrun  with  brambles  and  weeds.  A  few 
medicinal  and  odoriferous  herbs  were  scattered  here 
and  there,  and  a  few  solitary  flowers  overtopped  the 
tangling  briars  below  ;  but  there  was  plenty  of 
*Vuit  on  the  shrubbery  and  trees.  The  outbuildings 
were  generally  in  a  ruinous  condition.  The  cemete 
ry  was  the  most  perfect,  as  it  was  built  of  hewn 
stone  and  marble,  and  had  best  withstood  the  rav 
ages  of  time.  The  rooms  in  the  house  weie  mostly 
empty  and  decaying,  the  main  building  was  firm  and 
strong,  as  was  also  the  extended  wall  which  en 
closed  the  whole.  She  found  that  although  her 
aunt,  when  they  first  arrived,  had  led  her  through 
several  upper  rooms  to  the  chamber  they  inhabited, 
yet  there  was  from  thence  a  direct  passage  to  the 
hall. 

The  prospect  was  not  disagreeable.  West,  all 
was  wilderness,  from  which  fi  brook  wound  along  a 
little  distance  from  the  garden  wall.  North,  were 
the  uneven  grounds  which  she  had  crossed  when 
•he  came  there,  b>u«;ded  by  distant  groves  and  hifls 


ALONZC    AND    MELISSA. 

I 

East,  beautiful  meadows  and  fields,  arraytd  in  flow- 
erv  green,  sloped  to  salt  marshes  or  sandy  banks  of 
the  Sound,  or  ended  in  the  long  white  beaches  which 
extended  far  into  the  sea.  South  was  the  Sound  of 
Long  Island. 

Melissa  passed  much  time  in  tracing  the  ruins  of 
this  antiquated  place,  in  viewing  the  white  sails  as 
they  passed  up  and  down  the  Sound,  and  in  listen 
ing  to  the  songs  of  the  thousand  various  birds  which 
frequented  the  garden  and  the  forest.  She  could 
have  been  contented  here  to  have  buried  her  afflic 
tions,  and  forever  to  retire  from  the  world,  could 
Alon/.o  but  have  resided  within  those  walls.  *  What 
will  he  think  has  become  of  me,'  she  would  say, 
while  the  disconsolate  tear  glittered  in  her  eye.  Her 
aunt  had  frequently  urged  her  to  yield  to  her  fa 
ther's  injunctions,  regain  her  liberty  and  marry 
Beauman;  and  she  every  day  became  more  solicit 
ous  and  impertinent.  A  subject  so  hateful  to  Melis 
sa  sometimes  provoked  her  to  tears;  at  others  her 
keen  resen' -nent.  She  therefore,  when  the  weather 
was  fair,  passed  much  of  her  time  in  the  garden  and 
adjoinino  \\  alks,  wishing  to  be  as  much  out  of  her 
aunt's  company  as  possible. 

One  day  John  came  there  early  in  the  morning,  and 
Melissa's  aunt  went  home  with  him.  The  day  pas 
sed  away,  but  she  did  not  return.  Melissa  sat  up 
until  a  late  hour  of  the  n'jfht,  expecting  her;  she 
went  to  the  gate,  and  found  it  was  fast  locked, 
returned,  locked  and  bolted  the  doors  of  the  house, 
went  to  bed  and  slept  as  soundly  as  she  had  done 
since  her  residence  in  the  old  mansion,  '  I  have  at 
least,'  she  said,  'escaped  the  disgusting  curtain  lec 
ture  about  marrying  Beanman.' 

The  next  day  her  aunt  returned.  '  I  was  quite 
concerned  about  you,  child,'  said  she;  '  how  did 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA  69 

you  sleep?'  *  Ne^er  better,'  she  answered,  '  since  I 
nave  been  here.'  '  I  had  forgotten,'  said  her  aunt, 
that  mv  rents  become  due  this  week.  I  was  de 
tained  until  late,  by  some  of  rny  tenants;  John  was 
out  and  I  dare  not  return  in  the  night  alone.  I  must 
go  back  to-day.  It  will  take  me  a  week  to  settle 
my  business.  If  I  am  obliged  to  stay  out  again  I 
will  send  one  of  John's  daughters  to  sleep  with  you.' 
«  You  need  not  give  yourself  that  trouble,'  replied 
Melissa;  'I  am  under  no  apprehension  of  staying 
here  alone ;  nothing  can  get  into  or  out  of  these  prem- 

*  Well,  thou  hast  wonderful  courage,  child,'  said 
her  aunt,  '  but  I  shall  be  as  frequently  here  as  pos 
sible,  and  as  soon  as  my  business  is  settled,  I  shall 
be  absent  no  more/  So  saying  she  bade  Melissa 
good  morning,  and  set  off  for  her  residence  at  the 
dwelling  of  John. 

She  did  not  return  in  two  days.  The  second  night 
of  her  absence,  Melissa  was  sitting  in  her  chamber 
reading,  when  she  heard  a  noise  of  several  people 
trampling  in  the  yard  below.  She  arose,  cautiously 
raised  the  window,  and  looked  out.  It  was  extreme 
ly  dark:  she  thought  she  might  have  been  discover 
ed. 

Her  aunt  came  the  next  day,  and  told  her  she 
was  obliged  to  go  into  the  country  to  collect  some 
debts  of  those  to  whom  she  had  rented  some  lands: 
she  should  be  gone  a  few  days,  and  as  soon  as  she 
returned  should  come  there.  *  The  keys  of  the  house* 
said  sne,  'I  shall  leave  with  you.  The  gate  1  shall 
lock,  and  leave  the  key  with  John,  who  will  come 
here  as  often  as  necessary,  to  assist  you  and  see  if 
you  want  any  thing.'  She  then  went  off  leaving 
Melissa  not  dissatisfied  with  the  pospect  of  her  al»- 


70  ALONZO        ND    ME1ISSA. 

Melissa  amused  herself  in  evenings  by  reading  in 
the  few  books  her  aunt  had  brought  there,  and  in 
the  day,  in  walking  around  the  yard  and  garden,  or 
in  traversing  the  rooms  of  the  antique  building.  In 
Borne  were  the  remains  of  ancient  furniture,  others 
were  entirely  empty.  Cobwebs  and  mouldering 
wails  were  the  principal  ornaments  left. 

One  evening  as  she  was  about  retiring  to  rest,  she 
thought  she  heard  the  same  trampling  noise  in  the 
yard  as  on  a  former  occasion.  She  stepped  softly 
to  the  window,  suddenly  raised  it  and  held  out  the 
Candle.  She  listened  and  gazed  with  anxious  solici 
tude,  but  discovered  nothing  more.  All  was  silent; 
she  shut  the  window,  and  in  a  short  time  went  to 
bed. 

Some  time  in  the  night  she  was  suddenly  awak 
ened  by  a  sharp  sound,  apparently  near  her.  She 
started  in  a  trembling  panic,  but  endeavored  to  com 
pose  herself  with  the  idea,  that  something  had  fal 
len  from  the  shelves.  As  she  lay  musing  upon  the 
incident,  she  heard  noises  in  the  rooms  below,  suc 
ceeded  by  an  irregular  and  confused  number  of  voi 
ces,  and  presently  after,  footsteps  ascending  the  stairs 
which  led  to  her  chamber.  She  trembled;  a  cold 
chilly  sweat  run  down  her  face.  Directly  the  doors 
below  opened  and  shut  with  a  quick  and  violent  mo 
tion.  And  soon  after  she  was  convinced  that  she 
distinctly  heard  a  whispering  in  her  room.  She  rais 
ed  herself  up  in  the  bed  and  cast  inquisitive  eyes  to 
wards  her  chamber  door.  All  was  darkness — no 
new  object  was  visible — no  sound  was  heard,  and 
•he  again  lav  down. 

Her  mind  was  too  much  agitated  and  alarmed  to 
Bleep.  She  had  evidently  heard  sounds,  footsteps 
and  voices  in  the  house,  and  whisperings  which  ap 
peared  to  be  in  her  room.  The  yard  gate  was  lock- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  71 

ed,  of  which  John  had  the  key.  She  was  confident 
that  no  person  could  ascend  or  get  over  the  wall  ot' 
the  enclosure.  But  if  that  were  practicable,  how 
was  it  possible  that  any  human  being  could  enter 
the  house  ?  She  had  the  key  of  every  door,  and  they 
were  all  fast  locked,  and  yet  she  had  heard  (hem 
furiously  open  and  shut.  A  thought  darted  into  hei 
mind, — was  it  not  a  plan  which  her  aunt  had  con 
rnved  in  order  to  frighten  her  to  a  compliance 
with  her  wishes?  But  then  how  could  she  enter  the 
house  without  keys? — This  might  be  done  with  the 
use  of  a  false  key.  But  from  whence  did  the  whis 
perings  proceed,  which  appeared  close  to  her  bed 
side?  Possibly  it  might  be  conveyed  through  the 
key  hole  of  her  chamber  door.  These  thoughts 
tended  in  some  degree  to  allay  her  fears;  they 
were  possibilities  at  least,  however  improbable. 

As  she  lay  thus  musing,  a  hand  cold  as  the  icy 
fingers  of  death,  grasped  her  arm  which  lay  outside 
of  the  bed  clothes.  She  screamed  convulsively,  and 
sprang  up  in  the  bed.  Nothing  was  to  be  seen — 
no  noise  was  heard.  She  had  not  time  to  reflect. 
She  flew  out  of  the  bed,  ran  to  the  fire  and  lighted 
a  candle.  Her  heart  beat  rapidly.  She  cast  timid 
glances  around  the  room,  cautiously  searching  eve 
ry  corner,  and  examining  the  door.  All  things  were 
in  the  same  state  she  had  left  them  when  she  vent 
to  bed.  Her  door  was  locked  in  the  same  manner; 
no  visible  being  was  in  the  room  except  herself;  how 
then  could  she  account  for  these  events?  Was  it  not 
probable  that  she  was  right  in  her  first  conjectures 
respecting  their  being  the  works  of  her  aunt  and  ef 
fected  by  her  agents  and  instrumentality?  All  were 
possible  except  the  cold  hand  which  had  grasped 
iier  arm.  Might  not  this  be  the  effect  of  a  terrified 
and  heated  imagination  ?  But  could  her  room  be 


72  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

tnlocked,  persons  enter,  approach  her  bed,  depart 
and  re-lock  the  door  while  she  was 'awake,  without 
her  hearing  them  ? 

She  knew  she  could  not  go  to  sleep,  and  she  t'te- 
tertnined  not  to  go  to  bed  again  that  night.  She 
took  up  a  book,  but  her  spirits  had  been  too  much 
disordered  by  the  past  scenes  to  permit  her  to  read. 
She  looked  out  of  the  window.  The  rnoon  had  aris 
en  and  cast  a  pale  lustre  over  the  landscape.  She 
recollected  the  opening  and  shutting  of  the  door 
— perhaps  they  were  still  open.  The  thought  was 
alarming. — She  opened  her  chamber  door,  and  with 
Ihe  candle  in  her  hand,  cautiously  descended  the 
stairs,  casting  an  inquisitive  eye  in  every  direction, 
and  stopping  frequently  to  listen.  She  advanced  to 
•  he  door — it  was  locked.  She  examined  the  others; 
they  were  all  in  the  same  situation.  She  turned  to  go 
up  stairs,  when  a  loud  whisper  echoed  through  the 
hall  expressing  «  away,  away!'  She  flew  lik«> 
fightning  to  her  chamber,  re-locked  the  door  and 
flung  herself  almost  breathless,  into  a  chair. 

As  soon  as  her  scattered  senses  were  collected, 
she  concluded  that  whatever  had  been  in  the  house 
was  there  still.  She  resolved  to  go  out  no  more  un 
til  day,  which  soon  began  to  discolor  the  east  with 
a  fainter  blue;  then  purple  streaks,  intermingled 
wit'i  a  dusky  whiteness,  ascended  in  pyramidical  col 
umns  the  zenith;  these  fading  slowly  away,  the  east 
ern  horison  became  fringed  with  the  golden  span 
gles  of  early  morn.  A  spot  of  ineffable  brightness 
succeeded,  and  immediately  the  sun  burst  over  the 
verge  of  creation,  deluging  the  world  in  a  flood  ot* 
unbounded  light  and  glory. 

As  soon  as  the  morning  had  a  little  advanced,  Me 
lissa  ventured  out.  She  proceeded  with  hesitating 
steps,  carefully  scrutinizing  every  object  which  laci 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA  73 

her  sight.  She  examined  every  door  ;  they  -vere  all 
fast.  She  critically  searched  every  room,  closet,  &c. 
above  and  below.  She  then  took  a  light  and  de 
scended  into  the  cellar — here  her  inquisition  was 
the  same.  Thus  did  she  thoroughly  and  strictly 
examine  and  search  every  part  of  the  house  from 
the  garret  to  the  cellar,  but  could  find  nothing  al 
tered,  changed,  or  removed;  no  outlet,  no  signs  of 
there  having  been  any  being  in  the  house  the  eve 
ning  before,  except  herself. 

She  then  unlocked  the  outer  door  and  proceeded 
to  the  gate,  which  she  found  locked  as  usual.  She 
next  examined  the  yard,  the  garden,  and  all  the  out 
houses. 

Nothing  could  be  discovered  of  any  person  having 
been  recently  there.  She  next  walked  around  by 
the  wall,  the  whole  circle  of  the  enclosure.  She 
was  convinced  that  the  unusual  height  of  the  wall 
rendered  it  impossible  for  any  one  to  get  over  it.  It 
was  constructed  of  several  tier  of  hewed  timbers 
and  both  sides  of  it  were  as  smooth  as  glass.  On 
the  fop  long  spikes  were  thickly  driven  in,  sharpen 
ed  at  both  ends.  It  was  surrounded  on  the  outside 
by  a  deep  wide  moat,  which  was  nearly  filled  with 
water.  Over  this  moat  was  a  draw-bridge,  on  the 
road  leading  to  the  gate,  which  was  drawn  up,  and 
John  had  the  key. 

The  events  of  the  last  night  therefore  remained 
inscrutable.  It  must  be  that  her  aunt  was  the  agent 
who  had  managed  this  extraordinary  machinery. 

She  found  John  at  the  house  when  she  returned. 
*  Does  madam  want  any  thing  to-day?'  asked  ho. 
4  Has  my  aunt  returned,'  enquired  Melissa.  «  Not 
jet,'  he  replied:  *  How  long  has  she  been  gone?' 
she  a^ted.  *  Four  days,'  replied  John,  after  count 
ing  his  ingers,  'aid  she  will  not  be  back  under  four 


74  ALO.VZO    AND    MELISSA 

or  five  more.'  *  Has  the  key  of  the  gate  been  con 
stantly  in  your  possession?'  asked  she.  *  The  key 
of  the  gate  and  draw-bridge,'  he  replied  «  have  not 
been  out  of  my  possession  for  a  moment  since  your 
aunt  has  been  gone.'  «  Has  any  person  been  to  en 
quire  for  me  or  my  aunt,'  she  enquired,  'since  I  have 
been  here?'  *  No,  madam,'  said  he,  *  not  a  single 
person.'  Melissa  knew  not  what  to  think;  she  could 
not  give  up  the  idea  of  false  keys — perhaps  her  aunt 
had  returned  to  her  father's.  Perhaps  the  draw 
bridge  had  been  let  down,  the  gate  opened  and  the 
house  entered  by  false  keys.  He  father  would  as 
soon  do  this  as  confine  her  in  this  solitary  place;  and 
he  would  go  all  lengths  to  induce  her,  either  by  ter 
ror,  persuasion  or  threats,  to  relinquish  Alonzo  and 
marry  Beauman. 

A  thought  impressed  her  mind  which  gave  her  some 
consolation.  It  was  possible  to  secure  the  premises 
so  that  no  person  could  enter  even  by  the  aid  of  false 
keys.  She  asked  John  if  he  would  assist  her  that 
day.  *  In  any  thing  you  wish,  madam,'  he  replied. 
She  then  directed  him  to  go  to  work.  Staples  and 
iron  bars  were  found  in  different  parts  of  the  build 
ing,  with  which  he  secured  the  doors  and  windows, 
so  that  they  could  be  opened  only  on  the  inside. 
The  gate,  which  swung  in,  was  secured  in  the  same 
manner.  She  then  asked  John  if  he  was  willing  to 
leave  the  key  of  the  gate  and  draw-bridge  with  her. 
*  Perhaps  I  may  as  well,'  said  he;  '  for  if  you  bar 
the  gate  and  let  down  the  bridge,  I  cannot  get  in, 
myself  until  you  let  me  in.'  John  handed  her  the 
keys.  «  When  I  come,'  said  he,  *  I  will  halloo,  and 
you  must  let  me  in.'  This  she  promised  to  do  and 
John  departed.* 

•Of  the  place  where  Melisssa  was   confined,   a* 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  75 

That  night  Melissa  let  down  the  bridge,  locked 
and  barred  the  gale,  and  the  doors  and  windows  of 
the  house;  she  also  went  again  over  all  parts  of  the 
building,  strictly  searching  every  place,  though  fche 
was  well  convinced  she  should  find  nothing  extraor 
dinary.  She  then  retired  to  her  chamber,  seat 
ed  herself  at  the  western  window,  and  watch 
ed  the  slow  declining  sun,  as  it  leisurely  sunk  be 
hind  the  lofty  groves.  Pensive  twilight  spread  her 
misty  mantle  over  the  landscape  ;  the  western  hori- 
son  glowed  with  the  spangle0  of  evening.  Deep 
ening  glooms  advanced.  The  last  beam  of  day  fad 
ed  from  the  view,  and  the  world  was  enveloped  in 
night.  The  owl  hooted  solemnly  in  the  forest,  and 
the  whippoorwill  sung  cheerfully  in  the  garden.  In 
numerable  stars  glittered  in  the  firmament,  inter 
mingling  their  quivering  lustre  with  the  pale  splen 
dors  of  the  milky  way. 

Melissa  did  not  retire  from  the  window  until  late; 
she  then  shut  it  and  withdrew  within  the  room. 
She  determined  not  to  go  to  bed  that  night.  If  she 
was  to  be  visited  by  beings,  material  or  immaterial, 
she  chose  not  again  to  encounter  them  in  darkness, 
or  to  be  surprised  when  she  was  asleep.  But  why 
should  she  fear?  She  knew  of  none  she  had  displeas- 

described  in  the  foregoing  pages,  scarce  a  trace  now 
remains.  By  the  events  of  the  revolution,  the  prem 
ises  fell  into  other  hands.  The  mansion,  out-hous 
es  and  walls  were  torn  down,  the  cemetery  levelled, 
the  moat  filled  up;  the  locusts  and  elm  trees  were 
cut  down,  all  obstructions  were  removed,  and  the 
yard  and  garden  converted  into  a  beautiful  meadow. 
An  elegant  farm  house  is  now  erected  on  the  place 
where  John's  hut  then  stood,  and  the  neighborhood 
IB  think  settled. 


76  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

cd  except  her  father,  her  aunt  and  Beauman.  If  by 
any  of  these,  the  late  terrifying  scenes  had  been 
wrought,  she  had  now  effectually  precluded  a  recur 
rence  thereof,  for  she  was  well  convinced  that  no 
human  being  could  now  enter  the  enclosure  without 
her  permission.  But  if  supernatural  agents  had  been 
the  actors,  what  had  she  to  fear  from  them  ?  The 
night  passed  away  without  any  alarming  circum 
stances,  and  when  daylight  appeared  she  flung  her 
self  upon  the  bed,  and  slept  until  morning  was  con 
siderably  advanced.  She  now  felt  convinced  that 
her  former  conjectures  were  right;  that  it  was  her 
aunt,  her  father,  or  both,  who  had  caused  the  a- 
larming  sounds  she  had  heard,  a  repetition  of  which 
had  only  been  prevented  by  the  precautions  she  had 
taken. 

When  she  awoke  the  horizon  was  overclouded, 
and  it  began  to  rain.  It  continued  to  rain  until  to 
wards  evening,  when  it  cleared  away.  She  went 
to  the  gate  and  found  all  things  as  she  had  left 
them:  She  returned,  fastened  the  doors  as  usual,  ex 
amined  all  parts  of  the  house,  and  again  went  to  her 
chamber. 

She  sat  up  until  a  late  hour,  when  growing  very 
drowsy,  and  convinced  that  she  was  safe  and  secure, 
she  went  to  bed;  leaving,  however,  candles  burning 
in  the  room.  As  she  for  two  nights  had  been  de 
prived  of  her  rest,  she  soon  fell  into  a  slumber. 

She  had  not  long  been  asleep,  before  she  was 
suddenly  aroused  by  the  apparent  report  of  a  pistol, 
seemingly  discharged  close  to  her  head.  Awaken 
ed  so  instantaneously,  her  recollection,  for  a  time, 
was  confused  and  imperfect.  She  was  only  sensible 
of  a  strong,  sulphurous  scent:  but  she  soon  remem- 
berc  that  she  had  left  two  candies  burning,  and  ev 
er)  object  was  ao»v  shrouded  in  darkness.  Thil 


""1 

ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  77 

alarmed  her  exceedingly.  What  could  have  become 
of  the  can-dies?  They  must  have  been  blown  out  or 
taken  away.  What  was  Hie  sound  she  had  just 
heard  ? — What  the  sulphurous  stench  which  had  per 
vaded  the  room  ? — While  she  was  thus  musing  in 
perplexity,  a  broad  flash  like  lightning  transiently 
illuminated  the  chamber,  followed  by  a  long,  loud", 
and  deep  roar,  which  seemed  to  shake  the  building 
to  its  centre.  It  did  not  appear  like  thunder;  the 
sound  seemed  to  be  in  the  room  directly  over  her 
head.  Perhaps,  however,  it  was  thunder. 

Perhaps  a  preceding  clap  had  struck  near  the 
building,  broken  the  windows,  put  out  the  lights,  and 
filled  the  house  with  electric  effluvium.  She  listened 
for  a  repetition  of  the  thunder — but  a  very  different 
sound  grated  on  her  ear.  A  hollow,  horrible  groan 
echoed  through  her  apartment,  passing  off  in  a  faint 
dying  murmur.  It  was  evident  that  the  groan  pro 
ceeded  from  some  person  in  the  chamber.  Melissa 
raised  herself  up  in  bed;  a  tall  white  form  moved 
from  the  upper  end  of  the  room,  glided  slowly  by 
her  bed,  and  seemed  to  pass  off* near  the  foot.  She 
then  heard  the  doors  below  alternately  open  and 
shut,  slapping  furiously  and  in  quick  succession,  fol 
lowed  by  violent  noises  in  the  rooms  below,  like  the 
falling  of  heavy  bodies  and  the  crash  of  furniture. 
Clamorous  voices  succeeded,  among  which  she 
could  distinguish  boisterous  menaces  and  threaten- 
ings,  and  the  plaintive  tones  of  expostulation.  A 
momentary  silence  ensued  when  the  cry  of 'Murder!  LJ 

murder!  murder!'  echoed  through  the  building,  fol 
lowed  by  the  report  of  a  pistol,  and  shortly  after,  the 
groans  of  a  person  apparently  in  the  agonies  of 
death,  which  grew  fainter  and  fainter  until  it  died 
away  in  a  seemingly  expiring  gasp.  A  dead  si- 
tence  prevailed  for  a  few  minutes,  to  which  a  loud. 


78  AL.ONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

hoarse  peal  of  ghastly  laughter  succeeded — then 
again  all  was  still.  But  she  soon  heard  heavy  foot 
steps  ascending  the  stairs  to  her  chamber  door.  It 
was  now  she  became  terrified  and  alarmed  beyond 
any  former  example.  'Gracious  heaven  defend  me,' 
•he  exclaimed;  what  am  I  coming  to  '.'  Knowing 
that  every  avenue  to  the  enclosure  was  effectually 
secured;  knowing  that  all  the  doors  and  windows 
of  the  house,  as  also  that  which  opened  into  her 
chamber,  were  fast  locked,  strictly  bolted  and  bar 
red  ;  and  knowing  that  all  the  keys  were  in  her  pos 
session,  she  could  not  entertain  the  least  doubt 
but.  the  noises  she  had  heard  were  produced  by  su 
pernatural  beings,  and  she  had  reason  to  believe,  of 
the  most  mischievous  nature.  She  was  now  convinc 
ed  that  her  father  or  her  aunt  could  have  no  agen 
cy  in  the  business.  She  even  wished  her  aunt  had 
returned.  It  must  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  cross 
the  moat,  as  the  draw-bridge  was  up;  it  must  be 
still  more  difficult  to  pass  the  wall  of  the  enclos 
ure;  it  was  impossible  for  any  human  being  to  enter 
the  hou^e,  and  still  more  impossible  to  enter  the 
chamber. 

While  she  lay  thus  ruminating  in  extreme  agita 
tion,  momentarily  expecting  to  have  her  ears  assail 
ed  with  some  terrific  sound,  a  pale  light  dimly  il 
luminated  her  chamber.  It  grew  brighter.  She 
raised  herself  up  to  lock  towards  the  door; — the 
first  object  which  met  her  eye,  was  a  most  horrible 
form,  standing  at  a  little  distance  from  her  bedside. 
Its  appearance  was  tall  and  robust,  wrapped  in  a 
tattered  white  robe,  spotted  with  blood,  'ihe  hair 
of  its  head  was  matted  with  clotted  gore.  A  deep 
wound  appeared  to  have  pierced  its  breast,  from 
which  fresh  blood  flowed  down  its  garment.  Its 
Dale  face  was  gashed  and  gory!  its  eyes  fixed,  gla*» 


ALOWZO    ATCD    MELISSA.  79 

ed  and  glaring; — its  lips  open,  its   teeth   set,  and  in 
its  hand  was  a  bloody  dagger. 

Melissa  uttering  a  shriek  of  terror,  shrunk  into 
the  bed,  and  in  an  instant  the  room  was  involved 
in  pitchy  darkness.  A  freezing  ague  seized  her  limbs, 
and  drops  of  chilling  sweat  stood  upon  her  face.  Im 
mediately  a  horrid  hoarse  voice  burst  from  amidst 
the  gloom  of  her  apartment,  « Begone!  begone  from 
this  house!'  The  bed  on  which  she  lay  then  seemed 
to  be  agitated,  and  directly  she  perceived  some 
person  crawling  on  its  foot.  Every  consideration, 
except  present  safety  was  relinquished;  instantly 
ghe  sprang  from  the  bed  to  the  floor — with  convuls 
ed  grasp,  seized  the  candle,  flew  to  the  fire  and  light 
ed  it.  She  ga/ed  vvildl}7  around  the  room — no  new 
object  was  visible.  With  timid  step  she  approach 
ed  the  bed;  she  strictly  searched  all  around  and  un 
der  it,  but  nothing  strange  could  be  found.  A 
thought,  darted  into  her  mind  to  leave  the  house  im 
mediately  and  fly  to  John's:  this  was  easy,  as  the 
keys  of  the  gate  and  draw-bridge  were  in  her  pos 
session.  She  stopped  not  to  reconsider  her  deter 
mination,  but  seizing  the  keys  with  the  candle  in 
her  hand,  she  unlocked  her  chamber  door,  and  pro 
ceeded  cautiously  down  stairs,  fearfully  casting  her 
eyes  on  each  side,  as  she  tremblingly  advanced  to 
the  outer  door.  She  hes;tated  a  moment.  To  what 
perils,  was  she  about  to  expose  herself,  by  thus  ven 
turing  out  at  the  dead  of  night,  and  proceeding  such 
a  distance  alone?  Her  situation,  she  thought,  could 
become  no  more  hazardous,  and  she  was  about  to 
unbar  the  door,  when  she  heard  a  deep  hcilow  sigh. 
She  looked  around,  and  saw  stretched  on  one  side 
of  the  hall,  the  same  ghastly  form  which  had  so  re 
cently  appeared  standing  at  her  bedside.  The  same 
haggard  countenance,  the  same  awful  appearance  o' 


80  ALONZC      UNE    MELISSA. 

murderous  death.  A  faintness  came  upon  her, 
she  turned  to  flee  to  her  chamber — the  candle  drop 
ped  from  her  trembling  hand,  and  she  was  shroud 
ed  in  impenetrable  darkness.  Siie  groped  to  find 
the  stairs:  as  she  came  near  the  foot,  a  black  ob 
ject,  apparently  in  human  shape,  stood  before  her, 
with  eyes  which  seemed  to  burn  like  coals  of  fire, 
and  red  frames  issuing  from  its  mouth.  As  she  stood 
fixed  a  moment  in  inexpressible  trepidation,  a  large 
ball  of  fire  rolled  along  the  hall,  towaids  the  door, 
and  burst  with  an  explosion  which  seemed  to  rock 
the  building  to  its  deepest  foundation.  Melissa  clos 
ed  her  eyes  and  sunk  senseless  to  the  floor.  She 
revived  and  got  to  her  chamber,  she  hardly  knew 
how;  locked  her  door,  lighted  another  candle,  and 
after  again  searching  the  room,  flung  herself  into  a 
chair,  in  a  state  of  mind  which  almost  deprived  her 
of  reason. 

Daylight  soon  appeared,  and  the  cheerful  sun  dart 
ing  its  enlivening  rays  through  the  crevices  and 
windows  of  the  antique  mansion,  recovered  her  ex- 
nausted  spirits,  and  dissipated  in  some  degree,  the 
.errors  which  hovered  about  her  mind.  She  endeav 
ored  to  reason  coolly  on  the  events  of  the  past  night, 
out  reason  could  not  elucidate  them.  Not  the  least 
noise  had  been  heard  since  she  returned  to  her 
chamber:  she  therefore  expected  to  discover  no 
traits  which  might  tend  to  a  disclosure  of  these 
mysteries.  She  consoled  herself  only  with  a  fixed 
determination  to  leave  the  desolate  mansion.  Should 
John  come  there  that  day,  he  might  be  prevaileJ  on 
to  permit  her  to  remain  at  her  aunt's  apartment  in 
his  house  till  her  aunt  should  return.  If  he  should 
not  come  before  sunset,  she  resolved  to  leave  tho 
mansion  and  proceed  there. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  81 

She  took  some  refreshments  and  went  dotvi;  stairs, 
she  found  the  doors  and  windows  all  fast  as  she  had 
left  them.  She  then  again  searched  every  room  in 
the  house,  both  above  and  below  and  the  cellar;  but 
she  discovered  no  appearance  of  there  having  been 
any  person  there.  Not  the  smallest  article  was  dis 
placed;  every  thing  appeared  as  it  formerly  had 
been  She  then  went  to  the  gate;  it  was  locked 
as  usual  and  the  draw  bridge  up.  She  again  trav 
ersed  the  circuit  of  the  wall,  but  found  no  alteration, 
or  any  place  where  it  was  possible  the  enclosure 
might  be  entered.  Again  she  visited  the  outer 
buildings,  and  even  entered  the  cemetery,  but  dis 
covered  not  the  least  circumstance  which  could  con 
duce  to  explain  the  surprising  transactions  of  the 
preceding  night.  She  however,  returned  to  her  room 
in  a  more  composed  frame  of  spirit,  confident  that 
she  should  not  remain  alone  another  night  in  that 
gloomy,  desolate  and  dangerous  solitude. 

Towards  evening  Melissa  took  a  walk  around  the 
enclosure.  It  was  that  season  of  the  year  when 
weary  summer  is  lapsing  into  the  anus  of  fallow  au 
tumn.  The  day  had  been  warm  and  the  light  gales 
bore  invigorating  coolness  on  their  winfjs  as  they 
tremulously  agitated  the  foliage  of  the  western  for 
est,  or  fluttered  among  the  branches  of  the  trees 
surrounding  the  mansion.  The  green  splendors  of 
spring  had  began  to  fade  into  a  yellow  lustre,  the 
flowery  verdure  of  the  field  was  changed  to  a  rus 
set  hue.  A  robin  chirped  on  a  neighboring  oak,  a 
wren  chattered  beneath,  swallows  twittered  around 
the  deca^^d  buildings,  the  ludicrous  mocking  bird 
sung  sportively  from  the  top  of  the  highest  «j.1&\ 
and  the  surrounding  groves  rung  with  varying,  v  v 
less  melody,  while  uO°n  in  the  adjacent  wildeOv  v ."» 
the  woodcock  hammering  on  some  dry 


82  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

trees,  filled  tlie  woods  with  reverberating  echoes 
The  Sound  was  only  ruffed  by  the  lingering  breez 
es,  as  they  idly  wandered  over  its  surface.  Long 
Island,  now  in  possession  of  the  British  troops,  was 
thinly  enveloped  in  smoky  vapor;  scattered  along  its 
shores  lay  the  numerous  small  craft  and  larger  ships 
of  the  hostile  fleet.  A  few  skiffs  were  passing  and 
repassing  the  Sound,  and  several  American  gun 
boats  lay  on  a  point  which  jutted  out  from  the  main 
land,  far  to  the  eastward.  Numberless  summer  in 
sects  mingled  their  discordant  strains  amidst  the 
weedy  herbage.  A  heavy  black  cloud  was  rising  in 
the  northwest,  which  seemed  to  portend  a  shower, 
as  the  sonorous  distant  thunder  was  at  long  inter 
vals  distinctly  heard. 

Melissa  walked  around  the  yard,  contemplating 
the  varying  beauties  of  the  scene;  the  images  of  de 
parting  joys — the  days  when  Alonzo  had  participat 
ed  with  har  in  admiring  the  splendors  of  rural  pros 
pects,  raised  in  her  bosom  the  sigh  of  deep  regret. 
She  entered  the  garden  and  traversed  the  alleys, 
now  overgrown  with  weeds  and  tufted  knot  grass; 
the  flower  beds  were  choked  with  low  running  bram 
ble  and  tangling  five  finger;  tall,  rank  rushes,  mul- 
lens  and  daises,  had  usurped  the  empire  of  the  kitch 
en  garden.  The  viny  arbor  was  broken,  and  prin- 
cipnlly  gone  to  decay;  yet  the  'lonely  wild  rose* 
blushed  mournfully  amidst  the  ruins.  As  she  pass 
ed  from  the  garden  she  involuntarily  stopped  at  the 
cemetery:  she  paused  in  serious  reflection: — '  Here* 
said  she,  'in  this  house  of  gl^oin  rests  in  undist-uoed 
silence  my  honorable  ancestors,  once  the  s^ive  ten 
ants  of  yonder  mansion.  Then  throughout  these 
solitary  demesnes,  the  busy  occureiKes  of  life  glided 
in  cheerful  circles.  Then,  these  now  moss  clad  al 
leys,  and  this  wild  weedy  garden,  were  the  resort  of 


ALOISTZO    AND    MELISSA.  83 

the  fashionable  and  the  gay.  Then  evening  music 
floated  over  the  fields;  while  yonder  halls  and  apart 
ments  shone  in  brilliant  illumination.  Now  all  is  sad, 
solitary  and  dreary,  the  haunt  of  spirits  and  spec 
tres  of  nameless  terror.  All  that  now  remains  of 
the  head  that  formed  and  the  hand  that  executed, 
and  the  bosorn  that  relished  this  once  happy  scene 
ry,  is  now,  alas,  only  a  heap  of  dust.' 

She  seated  herself  on  a  little  hillock,  under  a 
wseping  willow,  which  stood  near  the  cemetery, 
and  watched  the  rising  shower,  which  ascended  in 
gloomy  pomp,  half  hidden  behind  the  western 
groves,  shrouding  the  low  sun  in  black  vapor,  while 
coining  thunders  more  nearly  and  more  awfully  rol 
led.  The  shrieking  night-hawk*  soared  high  into 
the  air,  mingling  with  the  lurid  van  of  the  approach 
ing  storm,  which  widening  more  rapidly  advanced, 
until  the  heavens  were  arrayed  in  blackness. 

The  lightning  broader  and  brighter  flashes,  hurl 
ing  down  its  forky  streaming  bolts  far  in  the  wilder 
ness,  its  flaming  path  followed  by  the  vollying  ar 
tillery  of  the  skies.  Now  bending  its  long  crinkling 
spires  over  the  vallies,  now  glimmering  along  the 
summit  of  the  hills.  Convolving  clouds  poured 
smokv  volumes  through  the  expansion  ;  a  d«ep 
hollow,  distant  roar,  announced  the  approach  ol 
*  summoned  winds.'  The  whole  forest  bowed  in 
awful  grandeur,  as  from  its  dark  bosom  rushed  the 
impetuous  hurricane,  twisting  off  or  tearing  up  by 
the  roots,  the  stoutest  trees,  whirling  the  heavi 
est  branches  through  the  air  with  irresistible  fury. 
It  dashed  upon  the  sea,  tossed  it  into  irregular  moun- 


*  Supposed  to  be  the  male  whippoorwill  ;  well 
known  in  the  New-England  states,  and  answering  t» 
tiie  above  peculiarity. 


84  AL.ONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

tains,  or  mingled  its  white  foamy  spray  with  th« 
gloom  of  the  turbid  skies.  Slantwise,  the  large 
heavy  drops  of  rain  began  to  descend.  Melissa  has 
tened  to  the  mansion;  as  she  reached  the  door,  a 
very  brilliant  flash  of  lightning,  accompanied  by  a 
tremendous  explosion,  alarmed  her.  A  thunderbolt 
had  entered  a  large  elm  tree  within  the  enclosure, 
and  with  a  horrible  crash  had  shivered  it  from  top 
to  bottom.  She  unlocked  the  door  and  hurried  to 
her  chamber.  Deep  night  now  filled  the  atmos 
phere;  the  rain  poured  in  torrents,  the  wind  rocked 
the  building,  and  bellowed  in  the  adjacent  groves: 
the  sea  raged  and  roared,  fierce  lightnings  rent  the 
heavens,  alternately  involving  the  world  in  the 
the  sheeted  flame  of  its  many  colored  fires;  thunders 
rolled  awfully  around  the  firmament,  or  burst  with 
horrid  din,  bounding  and  reverberating  among  the 
surrounding  wood^,  hills  and  valleys.  It  seemed 
nothing  less  than  the  crash  of  worlds  sounding 
through  the  universe. 

Melissa  walked  her  room,  listening  to  the  wild 
commotion  of  the  elements.  She  feared  that  if 
the  storm  continued,  she  should  be  compelled  to 
pass  another  night  in  the  lone  mansion:  if  so  she  re 
solved  not  to  go  to  bed.  She  now  suddenly  recol 
lected  that  in  her  haste  to  regain  her  chamber;  she 
had  forgotten  to  lock  the  outer  door.  The  shock 
she  had  received  when  the  lightning  demolished  th» 
elm  tree,  was  the  cause  of  this  neglect.  She  took 
the  candle,  ran  hastily  down,  and  fastened  the  door. 
As  she  was  returning  she  heard  foootsteps,  and  im 
perfectly  saw  the  glance  of  something  coming  out  of 
an  adjoining  room  into  the  hall.  Supposing  some 
ghastly  object  was  appioaching  she  averted  her 
eyes  and  flew  to  the  stairs.  As  she  was  ascending 
them,  a  voice  exclaimed,  *  Gracious  heaven  !  Meli* 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  85 

0a  !*  The  voice  agitated  her  frame  with  a  confused 
sympathetic  sensation.  She  turned,  fixed  her  eyes 
upon  the  person  who  had  spoken;  unconnected  ideas 
flo/ited  a  moment  in  her  imagination  :  «  Eternal 
powers!'  she  cried,  'it  is  Alonzo.' 

Alonzo  and  Melissa  were  equally  surprised  at  so 
unexpected  a  meeting.  They  could  scarcely  credit 
their  own  senses.  How  he  had  discovered  her  soli 
tude — what  led  him  to  that  lonely  place — how  he 
had  got  over  the  wall — were  queries  which  first  a- 
rose  in  her  mind.  He  likewise  could  not  conceive 
by  what  miracle  he  should  find  her  in  a  remote 
desolate  building,  which  he  had  supposed  to  be  un 
inhabited.  With  rapture  he  took  her  trembling 
hand;  tears  of  joy  choaked  their  utterance.  *  You 
are  wet  Alonzo,'  said  Melissa  at  length;  *  we  will 
go  up  to  my  chamber,  I  have  a  fire  there,  where 
you  can  dry  your  clothes.' — *  Your  chamber;'  repli 
ed  Alonzo;  'who  then  inhabits  this  house?'  '  No  one 
except  myself,'  she  answered;  '  I  am  here  alone, 
Alonzo.'  '  Alone!'  he  exclaimed — '  here  alone,  Me 
lissa!  Good  God!  tell  me  how — why — by  what 
means  are  you  here  alone?'  '  Let  us  go  up  to  my 
chamber,'  she  replied,  '  and  I  will  tell  you  all.' 

He  followed  her  to  her  apartment  and_seated  him 
self  by  the  fire.  '  You  want  refreshment,'  said  Me 
lissa — which  was  indeed  the  case,  as  he  had  been 
long  without  any,  and  was  wet,  hungry,  and  weary. 

She  immediately  set  about  preparing  tea,  and  sopo 
had  it  ready,  and  a  comfortable  repast,  was  spread 
for  his  entertainment.  And  now  reader,  if  thou  art 
a  child  of  nature,  if  thy  bosom  is  susceptible  of  re 
fined  sensibility,  contemplate  for  a  moment  Melissa 
and  Alonzo  seated  at  the  same  table,  a  table  pre 
pared  by  her  own  hand,  in  a  lonely  mansion,  sepa 
rated  f-'Mn  soriety,  aid  no  one  to  interrupt  them. 


86  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

After  innumerable  difficulties,  troubles,  and  perplex- 
ities;  after  vexing  embarrassments,  and  a  cruel  sep 
aration,  they  were  once  more  together,  and  for  some 
time  every  other  consideration  was  lost.  The  vio 
lence  of  the  storm  had  not  abated.  The  lightning 
still  blazed,  the  thunder  bellowed,  the  wind  roared, 
the  sea  raged,  the  rain  poured  mingled  with  heavy 
hail;  Alonzo  and  Melissa  heard  but  little  of  it.  She 
told  him  all  that  had  happened  to  her  since  they 
parted,  except  the  strange  noises  and  awful  sights 
which  had  terrified  her  during  her  confinement  in 
that  solitary  building:  this  she  considered  unneces 
sary  and  untimely,  in  her  present  situation. 

Alonzo  informed  her,  that  as  soon  as  he  had 
learned  the  manner  in  which  she  had  been  sent 
away,  he  left  the  house  of  Vincent  and  went  to  her 
father's  to  see  if  he  could  not  find  out  by  some  of 
the  domestics  what  course  her  aunt  had  taken.  None 
of  them  knew  any  thing  about  it.  He  did  not  put 
himself  in  the  way  of  her  father,  as  he  was  appre 
hensive  of  ill  treatment  thereby.  He  then  went  to 
several  places  among  the  relatives  of  the  family 
where  he  had  heretofore  visited  with  Melissa,  most 
of  whom  received  him  with  a  cautious  coldness.  At 
length  he  came  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Simpson,  the 
gentleman  to  whose  seat  Alonzo  was  once  driven  by 
a  shower,  where  he  accidentally  found  Melissa  on 
a  visit,  as  mentioned  before.  Here  he  was  admit 
ted  with  the  ardor  of  friendship.  They  had  heard 
his  story:  Melissa  had  kept  up  a  correspondence 
with  one  of  the  young  ladies;  they  were  therefore, 
informed  of  all  except  Melissa's  removal  from  her 
father's  house:  of  this  they  knew  nothing  until  told 
thereof  by  Alonzo. 

*  I  am  surprised  at  the  conduct  of  my  kinsman,* 
ga  d  Mr.  Simpson;  'for  though  his  determinations  are, 


.ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  87 

like  the  laws  of  the  Medes  and  Persians,  unaltera 
ble,  yet  I  have  ever  believed  that  the  welfare  of  hig 
children  lay  nearest  his  heart.  In  the  present  in 
stance  he  is  certainly  pursuing  a  mistaken  policy.  I 
will  go  and  see  him.'  He  then  ordered  his  horse,  de 
siring  Alonzo  to  remain  until  he  returned. 

Alonzo  was  treated  with  the  most  friendly  polite 
ness  by  the  family,  he  found  that  they  were  deeply 
interested  in  his  affairs  and  in  the  welfare  of  Me 
lissa.  At  evening  Mr.  Simpson  returned. — '  It  is  in 
vain,'  said  he, «  to  reason  with  my  kinsman,  he  is 
determined  that  his  daughter  shall  marry  your  rival. 
He  will  not  even  inform  me  to  what  place  he  has 
sent  Melissa.  Her  aunt,  however,  is  with  her,  and 
they  must  be  at  the  residence  of  some  of  the  family 
relatives — I  will  despatch  my  son  William  among 
our  connexions,  to  see  if  he  can  find  her  out.' 

The  next  morning  William  departed,  and  waf 
gone  two  days;  but  could  not  obtain  the  least  intel 
ligence  either  of  Melissa  or  her  aunt,  althopgh  he 
had  been  the  rounds  among  the  relations  of  the 
family. 

*  There  is  some  mystery  in  this  affair,'  said  Mr. 
Simpson.  *  I  am  very  little  acquainted  with  Melis 
sa's  aunt.  I  have  understood  that  she  draws  a  de 
cent  support  from  her  patrimonial  resources,  which 
it  is  said  are  pretty  large,  and  that  she  resides  al 
ternately  with  her  different  relatives.  I  have  under 
stood  also,  that  my  kinsman  expects  her  fortune  to 
come  into  his  family,  in  case  she  never  marries, 
which  in  all  probability,  she  now  will  not,  and  that 
she,  in  consequence,  holds  considerable  influence 
over  him.  It  is  not  possible  but  that  Melissa  is  yet 
concealed  at  some  place  of  her  aunt's  residence,  and 
hat  the  family  are  in  the  secret.  I  think  it  cannot 
KJ  long  before  they  will  disclose  themselves:  You, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Alon/o,  are  weclome  to  make  my  house  your  home 
and  if  Melissa  can  be  found  she  shall  be  treated  as 
my  daughter.' 

Alonzo  thanked  him  for  his  friendship  and  father 
ly  kindness.  '  I  must  continue,'  said  he,  '  my  re 
searches  for  Melissa;  the  result  you  shall  know.' 

He  then  departed,  and  travelled  through  the  neigh 
boring  villages  and  adjoining  neighborhoods,  making 
at  almost  every  house,  such  enquiries  as  he  consid 
ered  necessary  on  the  occasion.  He  at  length  ar 
rived  at  the  inn  in  the  last  little  village  where  Me 
lissa  and  her  aunt  had  stopped  the  day  they  came  to 
the  mansion.  Here  the  innkeeper  informed  him  that 
two  ladies,  answering  his  description,  had  been  at 
his  house;  he  named  the  time,  which  was  the  day 
in  which  Melissa  with  her  aunt  left  her  father's 
house.  The  innkeeper  told  him  that  they  purchas 
ed  some  articles  in  the  village,  and  drove  off  to  the 
south.  Alonzo  then  traversed  the  country  adjoin 
ing  the  Sound,  far  to  the  westward,  and  was  return 
ing  eastward,  when  he  was  overtaken  by  the  show 
er.  No  house  being  within  sight,  he  betook  him 
self  to  the  forest,  for  shelter.  From  a  little  hilly 
glade  in  the  wilderness,  he  discovered  the  lonely 
mansion,  which  from  its  appearance,  he  very  natur 
ally  supposed  to  be  uninhabited.  The  tempest  soon 
becoming  severe,  he  thought  he  would  endeavor  to 
reach  the  house. 

When  he  arrived  at  the  moat  he  found  it  impossi 
ble  to  cross  it,  or  ascend  the  wall; — .and  he  stood  in 
momentary  jeopardy  of  his  life,  from  the  falling  tim 
ber;  some  of  which  was  broken  and  torn  up  by  the 
tornado,  and  some  splintered  by  the  fiery  bolts  of 
heaven.  At  length  a  large  tree,  which  stood  near 
him,  on  the  verge  of  the  moat,  or  rather  in  that 
place,  was  lurled  from  its  foundation,  and  fell,  with 


ALOKZO    AND    MELISSA. 

a  hideout  cratth,  across  the  moat,  its  top  lodging  on 
the  wall.  He  scrambled  up  on  the  trunk,  and  made 
his  way  on  the  wall.  By  the  incessant  glare  of 
lightning  he  was  able  to  see  distinctly.  The  top  of 
the  tree  was  partly  broken  by  the  force  of  its  fall, 
and  hung  down  the  other  side  of  the  wall.  By  these 
branches,  he  let  himself  down  into  the  yard,  pro 
ceeded  to  the  house,  found  the  door  open  which 
Melissa  had  left  in  her  fright,  and  entered  into  one 
of  the  rooms,  where  he  proposed  to  stay  until  at 
least  the  shower  was  over,  still  supposing  the  house 
unoccupied,  until  the  noise  of  locking  the  door,  and 
the  light  of  the  candle,  drew  him  from  the  "room, 
when  to  his  infinite  surprise,  he  discovered  Melissa, 
as  before  related. 

Melissa  listened  to  Alonzo  with  varied  emotion. 
The  fixed  obduracy  of  her  father,  the  generous  con 
duct  ot  the  Simpsons,  the  constancy  of  Alonzo,  fil 
led  her  heart  with  inexpressible  sensations.  She 
foresaw  that  her  sufferings  were  not  shortly  to  end, 
she  knew  not  when  her  sorrows  were  to  close. 

Alonzo  was  shocked  at  the  alteration  which  ap 
peared  in  the  features  of  Melissa.  The  rose  had 
faded  from  her  cheek,  txcept  when  it  was  transient 
ly  suffused  with  a  hectic  flush.  A  livid  paleness  sat 
upon  her  countenance,  and  her  fine  form  was  rapidly 
wasting.  It  was  easy  to  be  foreseen  that  the  grief 
which  preyed  upon  her  heart  would  soon  destroy 
her,  unless  speedily  allayed. 

The  storm  had  now  passed  into  the  regions  of  the 
east;  the  wind  and  rain  had  ceased,  the  lightning 
more  unfrequently  flashed  and  the  thunder  rolled 
at  a  distance.  The  hours  passed  hastily  ; — day 
would  soon  appear.  Hitherto  they  had  been  ab 
sorbed  in  the  present  moment;  it  was  time  to  think 
of  the  future.  After  the  troubles  they  had  expert- 


SO  AI.ONZO    .4.ND    MELISSA. 

cnced;  after  so  fortunate  a  meeting,  they  could  not 
endure  the  idea  of  another  and  immediate  separa- 
ration.  And  yet  immediately  separated  they  must 
be.  It  would  not  be  safe  for  Alonzo  to  stay  even 
until  the  rising  sun,  unless  he  was  concealed:  and 
of  what  use  could  it  be  for  him  to  remain  there  in 
concealment. 

In  this  dilemma  there  was  but  one  expedient.  «  Suf 
fer  me,'  said  Alonzo  to  Melissa,  «  to  remove  you 
from  this  solitary  confinement.  Your  health  is  im 
paired.  To  you,  your  father  is  no  more  a  father; 
he  has  steeled  his  bosom  to  paternal  affection;  he 
has  banished  you  from  his  house,  placed  you  under 
the  tyranny  of  others,  and  confined  you  in  a  lonely, 
desolate  dwelling,  far  from  the  sweets  of  societv, 
and  th:s  only  because  you  cannot  heedlessly  re 
nounce  a  most  solemn  contract,  formed  under  lua 
eye,  and  r  ...cuone^  ly  his  immediate  consent  ana 
apn-  Cation  ifdon  me;  Melissa,  I  wouM  not  Cen 
sure  vo"  utrier;  but  permit  me  to  say  that  after 
B'.I--'  treatment,  you  are  absolved  from  implicit  obe- 
uience  to  his  rigorous,  cruel  and  stern  commands  it 
will  therefore  be  considered  a  duty  you  owe  to  your 
preservation,  if  you  suffer  me  to  remove  you  from  tne 
tyrannical  severity  with  which  you  are  oppressed.' 

Melissa  sighed,  wiped  a  tear  which  fell  from  ner 
eye.  '  Unqualified  obedience  to  my  parents,'  said 
sne,  '  I  have  ever  considered  one  of  the  first  du 
ties,  and  have  religiously  practised  thereon — but 
where  Alonzo,  would  you  remove  me?'  «  To  any 
pface  you  shall  appoint,'  he  answered?  «  I  have  no 
wiiere  to  go,'  she  replied. 

'  If  you  will  allow  me  to  name  the  place,'  said  he, 
*  I  will  mention  Mr.  Simpson's.  He  will  espouse 
your  cause  and  be  a  father  to  you,  and  if  concilia- 
lion  is  possible,  will  reconcile  you  to  your  father. 


ALONZO    A.VD    MELISSA..  91 

This  can  i>3  done  without  my  being  known  to  have 
any  agency  in  the  business.  It  can  seem  as  if  Mr. 
Simpson  had  found  you  out.  He  will  go  any  just 
lengths  to  serve  us.  It  was  his  desire,  if  you  could 
be  found,  to  have  you  brought  to  his  house.  There 
you  can  remain  either  in  secret  or  openly,  as  you 
shall  choose.  Be  governed  by  me  in  this,  Melissa, 
and  in  all  things  I  will  obey  you  thereafter.  I  will 
then  submit  to  the  future  events  of  fate;  but  I  can 
not  Melissa — I  cannot  leave  you  in  this  doleful 
place.' 

Melissa  arose  and  walked  the  room  in  extreme 
agitation.  What  could  she  do  ?  She  had,  indeed, 
determined  to  leave  the  house,  for  reasons  which 
Alonzo  knew  nothing  of.  To  continue  there  under 
ex'c'.ng  circumstances  would  be  impossible,  long  to 
jxist. — She  therefore  came  to  a  determination — '  I 
will  go,'  she  said,  '  to  Mr.  Simpson's.' 

It  was  then  agreed  that  Alonzo  should  proceed  to 
Vincent's,  interest  them  in  the  plan,  procure  a  car 
riage  and  return  at  eleven  o'clock  the  next  night. 
Melissa  was  to  have  the  draw  bridge  down,  and  the 
gate  open.  If  John  should  come  to  the  house  the 
succeeding  day,  she  would  persuade  him  to  let  her 
still  keep  the  keys.  But  it  was  possible  her  aunt 
might  return.  This  would  render  the  execution  of 
the  scheme  more  hazardous  and  difficult.  A  signal 
was  therefore  agreed  upon;  if  her  aunt  should  be 
there,  a  candle  was  to  be  placed  at  the  window 
fronting  the  gate,  in  the  room  above;  if  not,  it  waa 
to  be  placed  against  a  similar  window  in  a  room  be 
low.  In  the  first  case  Alonzo  was  to  rap  loudly  at 
the  door.  Melissa  was  to  run  down  on  pretence  of 
seeing  who  was  there,  fly  with  Alonzo  to  the  car 
riage,  and  leave  her  a  mt  to  scrape  acquaintance 
with  the  ghosts  and  goblins  of  the  old  mansion.  For 


92  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

even  if  her  aunt  should  return,  which  WJLS  extremely 

doubtful,  she  thought  she  could  contrive  to  letdown 
the  bridge  and  unlock  the  gate  in  the  evening  with 
out  her  knowledge.  At  any  rate  she  was  determin 
ed  not  to  let  the  keys  go  out  of  her  hands,  unless 
they  were  forced  from  her,  until  she  had  escaped 
from  that  horrid  and  dreary  place. 

Daylight  began  to  break  from  the  east,  and  Alon- 
zo  prepared  to  depart.  Melissa  accompanied  him  to 
the  gate  and  the  bridge,  which  was  let  down:  he 
passed  over  and  slowly  withdrew,  both  frequently 
turning  to  look  back.  When  she  came  to  the  gate 
she  stopped, —  Alonzo  stopped  also.  She  waved  a 
white  handkerchief  she  had  in  her  hand,  and  Alon 
zo  bowed  in  answer  to  the  sign.  She  then  leisurely 
entered  and  slowly  shut  the  gate.  Alonzo  could 
not  forbear  climbing  up  into  a  tree  to  catch  anoth 
er  glimpse  of  her  as  she  passed  up  the  avenue.  With 
lingering  step  he  saw  her  move  along,  soon  reced 
ing  from  his  view  in  the  gray  twilight  of  misty  morn 
ing.  He  then  descended  and  hastily  proceeded  on 
his  journey. 

Traits  of  glory  now  painted  the  eastern  skies.  The 
glittering  day  star  having  unbarred  the  portals  of 
light,  began  to  transmit  its  retrocessive  lustre. 
Thin  scuds  flew  swiftly  over  the  moon's  decres 
cent  form.  Low  hollow  winds  murmured  among 
the  bushes,  or  brushed  the  limped  drops  from  inter 
mingling  foliage.  The  fire-fly  sunk  feebly  twink 
ling  amongst  the  herbage  of  the  fields.  The  dusky 
shadows  of  night  fled  to  the  deep  glens,  and  rocky 
caverns  of  the  wilderness.  The  American  lark 
soared  high  in  the  air,  consecrating  its  matin  lay  to 
morn's  approaching  splendors.  The  woodlands  be 
gan  to  ring  with  native  melody — the  forest  tops,  on 
high  mountains,  caught  the  sun'  first  ray,  wh«ch 


AI.ONZO    AND    MELISSA.  93 

widening  and  extending,  soon  gem'd  the  landscape 
with  brilliants  of  a  thousand  various  dies. 

As  Alonzo  came  out  of  the  fields  n«ar  the  road,  he 
saw  two  persons  pass  in  an  open  chair.  They  sud 
denly  stopped,  earnestly  gazing  at  him.  They  were 
wrapped  in  long  riding  cloaks,  and  it  could  not  be 
distinguished  from  their  dress  whether  they  were 
men  or  women.  He  stood  not  to  notice  them,  but 
made  the  best  of  his  way  to  Vincent's  where  he  ar 
rived  about,  noon. — Rejoiced  to  find  that  he  had  dis 
covered  Melissa,  they  applauded  the  plan  of  her  re 
moval,  and  assisted  him  to  obtain  a  carriage.  A 
sedan  was  procured,  and  he  set  out  to  return  prom- 
ting  to  see  Vincent  again,  as  soon  as  he  had  remov 
ed  Melissa  to  Mr.  Simpson's.  He  made  such  use  of 
his  time  as  to  arrive  at  the  mansion  at  the  hour  ap 
pointed.  He  found  the  drawbridge  down,  the  gate 
open,  and  saw  as  had  been  agreed  upon,  the  lighl  at 
the  lower  window,  glimmering  through  the  branches 
of  trees.  He  was  therefore  assured  that  Melissa 
was  alone.  His  heart  beat  ;  a  joyful  tremor  seized 
his  frame;  Melissa  was  soon  to  be  under  his  care, 
for  a  short  time  at  least.  He  drove  up  to  the  house, 
sprang  out  of  the  carriage,  and  fastened  his  horse 
to  a  locust  tree:  The  door  was  open;  he  went  in, 
flew  lightly  up  stairs,  entered  her  chamber  Melis 
sa  was  not  there  !  A  small  fire  was  blazing  on  the 
heart!),  and  a  candle  was  burning  on  the  table.  He 
stood  petrified  with  amazement,  then  gazed  around 
in  anxious  solicitude.  What  could  have  become  of 
her?  It  was  impossible,  he  thought,  but  that  she 
must  still  be  there. 

Had  she  been  removed  by  fraud  or  force,  the  sig 
nal  candle  would  not  have  been  at  the  window.  Per 
haps,  in  a  freakish  moment,  she  had  concealed  her 
self  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  cause  him  a  little 


94  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

perplexity.  He  therefore  took  the  candle  and 
searched  every  corner  of  the  chamber,  and  every 
room  of  the  house,  not  even  missing  the  garret  and 
the  cellar.  He  then  placed  the  candle  in  a  lantern, 
and  went  out  arid  examined  the  out-houses:  he  next 
vent  round  the  garden  and  the  yard,  strictly  explor 
ing  and  investigating  every  place;  but  he  found  her 
not.  He  repeatedly  and  loudly  called  her  by  name; 
he  was  answered  only  by  the  solitary  echoes  of  the 
wilderness. 

Again  he  returned  to  the  house,  traversed  the 
rooms,  there  also  calling  on  the  name  of  Melissa  : 
his  voice  reverberated  from  the  walls,  dying  away 
in  solemn  murmurs  in  the  distant  empty  apartments. 
Thus  did  he  continue  his  anxious  scrutiny,  alternate 
ly  in  the  house,  and  the  enclosure  until  day — but  no 
traces  could  be  discovered,  nothing  seen  or  heard 
*>f  Melissa.  What  had  become  of  her  he  could  not 
form  the  most  distant  conjecture.  Nothing  was  re- 
'noved  from  the  house;  the  beds,  the  chairs,  the  ta- 
ole,all  the  furniture  remained  in  the  same  condition 
as  when  he  was  there  the  night  before; — the  candle, 
BS  had  been  agreed  upon,  was  at  the  window,  and 
another  was  burning  on  the  table:  it  was  therefore 
evident  that  she  could  not  have  been  long  gone 
when  he  arrived.  By  what  means  had  she  thus  sud 
denly  disappeared,  was  a  most  deep  and  inscrutible 
mystery.  When  the  sun  had  arisen,  he  once  more 
repeated  his  inquisitive  search,  but  with  the  same 
effect.  He  then,  in  extreme  vexation  and  disap 
pointment  flung  himself  into  the  sedan,  and  drove 
from  the  mansion  Frequently  did  he  look  back  at 
the  building,  anxiously  did  he  scrutinize  every  sur 
rounding  and  receding  object.  A  thrill  of  pensive 
recollection  vibrated  through  his  frame  as  he  passed 
the  gate,  and  the  keen  agonizing  pangs  of  b'asted 


.A1.0NZO    AND    MELISSA.  95 

hope  pierced    his  heart  as  the  carriage    rolled  over 
the  bridge. 

Once  more  he  cast  '  a  longing  lingering  look*  up 
on  the  premises  behind,  sacred  only  for  the  trea 
sure  they  lately  possessed;  then  sunk  backward  in 
his  seat,  and  was  dragged  slowly  away. 

Alonzo  had  understood  from  Melissa, that  John's  hul 
was  situated  about  one  mile  north  from  the  mansion 
where  she  had  been  confined.  When  he  came  rieaj 
the  road,  he  left  his  horse  and  carriage,  after  secur 
ing  them,  and  went  in  search  of  it.  He  soon  dis 
covered  it,  and  knew  it  from  the  description  givei 
thereof  by  Melissa.  He  went  up  and  knocked  at  the 
door,  which  was  opened  by  John,  whom  Alonzo  al 
so  knew,  from  the  portrait  Melissa  had  drawn  of  him. 

John  started  in  amazement.  »  Understanding,'  said 
Alonzo,  '  that  you  have  the  charge  of  the  old  man 
sion  in  yonder  field,  I  have  come  to  know  rt  you  can 
inform  rne  what  has  become  of  the  young  lady  who 
has  been  confined  there.' 

'  Confined!'  answered  John,  « I  did  not  know  she 
was  confined.' 

Recollecting  himself,  '  I  mean  the  young  lady  who 
has  lately  resided  there  with  her  aunt,'  replied  Alon 
zo. 

*  She  was  there  last  night,'  answered  John;  '  her 
aunt  has  gone  into  the  country  and  has  not  return 
ed.' 

Alonzo  then  told  him  the  situation  of  the  mansion, 
and  that  she  was  not  there.  John  informed  him 
that  he  was  there  about  sunset,  and  according 
to  her  request  he  had  loft  the  keys  of  the  gate  and 
bridge  with  her:  he  desired  Alonzo  to  tarry  there 
until  lie  ran  to  the  mansion. 

He  returned  in  half  an  hour.  *  She  is  gone  sure 
enough,'  said  John, '  but  how  or  where,  it  is  impossi 
ble  lor  me  to  guess.'  Convinced  that  he  knew  notry 


96  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

ing  of  the  matter,  Alonzo  left  him  and  r<rturned    te 
Vincent's. 

Vincent  and  his  lady  were  much  surprised,  at 
Alonzo's  accou-nt  ofMelissa's  sudden  disappearance, 
and  they  wished  to  ascertain  whether  her  father's 
family  knew  anything  of  the  circumstance.  Social 
intercourse  had  become  suspended  between  the  fami 
lies  of  Vincent  and  Melissa's  father,  as  the  latter 
had  taxed  the  former  with  improperly  endeavoring 
to  promote  the  views  of  Alonzo.  TL-ey  therefore 
procured  a  neighboring  woman  to  visit  Melissa's 
mother,  to  see  if  any  information  could  be  oblaingd 
concerning  Melissa;  but  the  old  lady  had  heard  noth 
ing  of  her  since  her  departure  with  her  aunt,  who 
had  never  yet  returned.  Alonzo  left  Vincent's  and 
went  to  Mr.  Simpson's.  He  told  him  all  that  hap 
pened  since  he  was  there,  of  which,  before,  they 
had  heard  nothing.  At  the  house  of  Mr.  Simpson 
and  Vincent  he  resided  some  time,  while  they  made 
the  most  diligent  search  to  discover  Melissa,  but 
nothing  could  be  learned  of  her  fate. 

Alonzo  then  travelled  into  the  various  parts  of  the 
country,  making  such  enquiries  as  caution  dictated 
of  all  whom  he  thought  likely  to  give  him  informa 
tion — but  he  found  none  who  could  give  him  the 
least  intelligence  of  his  lost  Melissa. 

In  the  course  of  his  wanderings  he  passed  near 
the  old  mansion  house  where  Melissa  had  been  con 
fined.  Ho  felt  an  inclination  once  more  to  visit  it: 
he  proceeded  over  the  bridge,  which  was  down,  but 
he  found  the  gate  locked.  He  therefore  hurried 
back  and  went  to  John's  who  he  found  at  home 
On  enquiring  of  John  whether  he  had  yet  heard  any 
thing  of  the  young  lady  and  her  aunt;  '  All  I  know 
of  the  matter,'  said  John,  'is,  that  two  days  after  you 
were  here,  her  aunt  came  back  with  a  strange  gen- 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA,  97 

tleman,  and  ordered  me  to  go  and  fetch  the  furni 
ture  away  from  the  room  they  had  occupied  in  the 
old  mansion.  I  asked  her  what  had  become  ol 
young  madam.  She  told  me  that  young  mad- 
urn  had  behaved  very  indiscreetly,  and  she  found 
fault  with  me  for  leaving  the  keys  in  her  possession, 
though  I  did  not  know  that  any  harm  could  arise 
from  it.  From  the  discourse  which  my  wife  and  I 
afterwards  overheard  between  madam  and  the 
strange  gentleman,  I  understood  that  young  madam 
had  been  sent  to  reside  with  some  friend  or  rela 
tion  at  a  great  distance,  because  her  father  wanted 
her  to  marry  a  man  and  she  wishes  to  marry  some 
body  else.'  From  John's  plain  and  simple  narrative, 
Alonzo  concluded  that.  Melissa  had  been  removed  by 
her  father's  order,  or  through  the  agency,  or  instiga 
tion  of  her  aunt.  Whether  his  visit  to  the  old  man 
sion  had  been  somehow  discovered  or  suspected.,  or 
whether  she  was  removed  by  some  preconcerted  or 
antecedent  plan,  he  could  not  conjecture.  Still,  the 
situation  in  which  he  found  the  mansion  the  night 
he  went  to  convey  her  away,  left  an  inexplicable 
vnpression  on  his  mind.  He  could  in  no  manner 
account  how  the  candle  could  be  placed  at  the  win 
dow  according  to  agreement,  unless  it  had  been 
done  by  herself;  and  if  so  how  had  she  so  suddenly 
been  conveyed  away? 

Alonzo  asked  John  where  Melissa's  aunt  now  was. 

*  She  left  here  yesterday    morning,'  he  answered, 
'  with  the  strange  gentleman  I  mentioned,  on  a  vis 
it  to  some  of  her  friends.' 

*  Was  the  strange   gentleman    you.  speak   of  her 
brother?'  asked  Alonzo. 

*  I  believe  not,'  replied  John,  smiling  and  winking 
to  his  wife;  '  I  know  not  who  he  was;  somebody  that 
madam  seems  to  like  pretty  well.' 


$S  ALONZO    AND    MKLIfSA. 

*  Have  you  the  care  of  the  old  mansion,'  said 
Alonzo. 

'Yes,'  answered  John,  « I  have  the  keys;  I  will  ac 
company  you  thither,  perhaps  you  would  like  to 
purchase  it;  madam  said  yesterday  she  thought  she 
should  sell  it.' 

Alonzo  told  him  he  had  no  thoughts  of  purchasing, 
thanked  him  for  his  information  and  departed. 

Convinced  now  that  Melissa  was  removed  by  the 
agency  of  her  persecutors,  he  compared  the  circum 
stances  of  John's  relation.  '  She  had  been  sent  to 
reside  with  some  friend  or  relation  at  a  great  dis 
tance.'  This  great  distance  he  believed  to  be  New 
London,  and  her  friend  01  relation,  her  cousin  at, 
•whose  house  Alonzo  first  saw  her,  under  whose  care 
she  would  be  safe,  and  Beauman  would  have  an 
opportunity  of  renewing  his  addresses.  Under  these 
impressions,  Alonzo  did  not  hesitate  long  what  course 
to  pursue — he  determined  to  repair  to  New  London 
immediately. 

In  pursuance  of  his  design  he  went  to  his  father's. 
He  found  the  old  gentleman  with  his  man  content 
edly  tilling  his  farm,  and  his  mother  cheerfully  at 
tending  to  household  affairs,  as  their  narrow  circum 
stances  would  not  admit  her  to  keep  a  maid  without 
embarrassment.  Alonzo' s  soul  sickened  on  compar 
ing  the  present  state  of  his  family  with  its  former  athu- 
ence;  but  it  was  an  unspeakable  consolation  to  see 
his  aged  parents  contented  and  happy  in  their  hum 
ble  situation;  and  though  the  idea  could  not  pluck 
the  thorn  from  his  own  bosom,  yet  it  tended  tempo 
rarily  to  assuage  the  anguish  of  the  wound. 

*  You  have  been  long  gone,  my  son,'  said  his  fa 
ther;  '  I  scarcely  knew  what  had  become  of  you. 
Since  I  have  become  a  farmer  I  know  but  little  of 
what  is  going  forward  in  the  world ;  and  indee<\  we 
were  never  haonier  in  our  lives.  After  stocking  and 


ALONZO    AND    ME.JSSA  99 

paying  for  my  farm,  and  purchasing  the  requisites 
for  my  business,  I  have  got  considerable  money  at 
my  command:  we  live  f.ugally  and  realize  the  bles 
sings  of  health,  comfort  and  contentment.  Our  on 
ly  disquietude  is  on  your  account,  Alonzo.  Your  af 
fair  with  Melissa,  I  suppose,  is  not  so  favorable  as 
you  could  wish.  But  despair  not,  my  son;  hope  is 
the  harbinger  of  fairer  prospects  :  rely  on  provi 
dence,  which  never  deserts  those  who  submissively 
to xv  to  the  justice  of  its  dispensations.' 

Unwilling  to  disturb  the  serenity  of  his  parents, 
Alonzo  did  not  tell  them  his  troubles.  He  answer 
ed,  that  perhaps  all  might  yet  come  to  right;  but 
that  as  in  the  present  state  of  his  mind  he  thought 
a  change  of  situation  might  be  of  advantage,  he  ask 
ed  liberty  of  his  father  to  travel  for  some  little  time 
To  this  his  father  consented,  and  offered  him  a  part 
of  the  money  he  had  on  hand,  which  Alonzo  refused, 
saying  he  did  not  expect  to  be  long  gone,  and  his 
resources  had  not  failed  him. 

He  then  sold  off  his  books,  his  horses,  his  car 
riages,  &c.  the  insignia  of  his  better  days,  but  now 
useless  appendages,  from  which  ho  raised  no  incon 
siderable  sum.  He  then  took  a  tender  and  affec 
tionate  leave  of  his  parents,  and  set  out  for  New- 
London. 

Alonzo  journeyed  along  with  a  heavy  heart  and 
in  an  enfeebled  frame  of  spirits.  Through  disap 
pointment,  vexation,  and  the  fatigues  he  had  under 
gone  in  wandering  about,  for  a  long  time,  in  search 
ot  Melissa,  despondency  had  seized  upon  his  mind, 
and  indisposition  upon  his  body.  He  put  up  the 
first  night  within  a  few  miles  of  New-Haven,  and  as 
he  passed  through  the  town,  the  next  morning,  the 
scenes  of  early  life  in  which  he  had  there  been  ar 
actor,  moved  in  melancholy  succession  over  his  mind 


100  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

That  day  he  grew  more  indisposed;  he  experienced 
an  unusual  langour,  listlessness  and  debility;  chills 
followed  by  hoi  flashes,  heavy  pains  in  the  head  and 
back,  with  incessant  and  intolerable  tinrst.  It  was 
near  night  when  ho  reached  Killingworth,  where  he 
halted,  as  he  felt  unable  to  go  farther:  he  called  for 
abed,  and  through  the  night  was  racked  with  severe 
pain,  and  scorched  with  a  burning  fever. 

The  next  morning  he  requested  that  the  physician 
of  the  town  might  be  sent  for  ; — became  and  order 
ed  a  prescription  which  gave  his  patient  some  relief; 
anu  by  strict  attention,  in  sbout  ten  days  Alonzo  was 
able  to  pursue  his  journey.  He  arrived  at  New- 
London,  and  took  lodgings  with  a  private  family  of 
the  name  of  Wyllis,  in  a  retired  part  of  the  to\\«. 

The  first  object  was  to  ascertain  whether  Melissa 
was  at  her  cousin's.  But  how  should  he  obtain  this 
information  ?  He  knew  no  person  in  the  town  ex 
cept  it  v  as  those  whom  he  had  re._  -\  to  suppose 
were  leagued  against  him.  Should  he  go  to  the 
house  of  hor  cousin,  it  might  prove  an  injury  to  her 
if  she  were,  there,  and  could  answer  no  valuable  pur 
pose  if  she  were  not.  The  evening  after  he  arrived 
there  he  wrapped  himself  upi  .n  his  cloak  and  took 
the  street  which  led  to  the  house  of  Melissa's  cou 
sin:  he  stopped  when  he  came  against  it,  to  see  if 
he  could  make  any  discoveries.  As  people  were 
passing  and  repassing  the  street,  he  got  over  into  a 
small  enclosure  which  adjoined  the  house,  and  stood 
under  a  tree,  about  thirty  yards  from  the  house: 
he  had  not  long  occupied  this  station,  before  a  lady 
came  to  the  chamber  window,  which  was  flung  up, 
opposite  to  the  place  where  he  stood;  she  leaned 
out,  looked  earnestly  around  for  a  few  minutes,  then 
shut  it  and  retired.  She  had  brought  a  candle  in 
to  the  room,  but  did  not  bring  it  to  the  window;  of 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  101 

course  he  did  not  distinguish  her  features   so    as  to 
identify  them. 

He  knew  it  was  not  the  wife  of  Melissa's  cousin, 
and  from  her  appearance  he  believed  it  to  he  Melis 
sa.  AffSi'm  the  window  opened,  again  the  same  la- 
ly  appeared; — she  took  a  seat  at  a  little  distance 
»-ithin  the  room;  she  reclined  with  her  head  upon 
er  hand,  and  her  arm  appeared  to  be  supported  by 
*  stand  or  table.  Alonzo's  heart  beat  violently; 
In:  had  a  side  view  of  her  face,  was  more  than  ever 
convinced  that  it  was  Melissa.  Her  delicate  fea 
tures  though  more  pale  and  dejected  than  whea 
last  he  saw  her; — her  brown  hair  which  fell  in  art 
less  circles  around  her  hly  neck;  her  arched  eye 
brows  and  commanding  aspect.  Alonzo  moved  to 
wards  the  house,  with  a  design  if  possible,  to  draw 
her  attention,  and  should  it  really  prove  to  be  Melis 
sa,  to  discover  himself.  He  had  proceeded  but  a  few 
steps  before  she  arose,  shut  the  window,  retired,  and 
the  light  disappeared.  Alonzo  waited  a  considera 
ble  time,  but  slie  appeared  no  more.  Supposing  she 
had  retired  for  the  night  he  slowly  withdrew,  cha 
grined  at  this  disappointment,  yet  pleased  at  the 
discovery  he  had  made. 

The  family  with  w,hom  Alonzo  had  taken  lodg 
ings  were  fashionable  and  respectable.  The  follow 
ing  afternoon  they  had  appointed  to  visit  a  friend, 
and  they  invited  Alonzo  to  accompany  them.  When 
they  named  the  familv  where  their  visit  was  intend 
ed,  he  found  it  to  be  Melissa's  cousin.  Alonzo 
therefore  declined  going  under  pretence  of  business. 
He  however  waited  with  anxiety  for  their  return, 
hoping  he  should  be  able  to  learn  by  their  conversa 
tion  whether  Melissa  was  there  or  not.  When  they 
returned  he  made  some  inquires  concerning  the  fam- 
lies  in  to«*'n,  until  th*  conversation  turned  upon  the 


102  .  LC  NZO  AND  MELISSA. 

family  they  had  visited.  •  The  young  lady  who  re 
sides  there,'  said  Mrs.  Wyllis,  '"is  undoubtedly  i-a  a 
confirmed  decline;  she  will  never  recover.' 

Alonzo  started,  deeply  agitated.  *  Who  is  (he 
young  lady?'  he  asked.  '  She  is  sister  to  the  gentle 
man's  wife  where  we  visited,'  answered  Mr.  Wyllis; 
'her  father  lives  in  Newport,  and  she  has  come  here 
for  her  health.'  «  Do  you  not  think,'  said  Mrs.  Wyl 
lis,  *  that  she  resembles  her  cousin  Melissa,  who  re 
sided  there  some  time  ago?'  «  Very  much  indeed,' 
replied  the  husband,  *  only  she  is  not  quite  so  hand- 
Bome.' 

Again  was  Alonzo  disappointed,  and  again  did  he 
experience  a  melancholy  pleasure:  he  had  the  last 
night  hoped  that  he  had  discovered  Melissa;  but  to 
find  her  in  a  hopeless  decline,  was  worse  than  that 
she  should  remain  undiscovered. 

*  It  is  reported,'  said  Mrs.  Wyllis,  '  that  Melissa 
has  been  upon  the  verge  of  matrimony,  but  that 
the  treaty  was  somehow  broken  ofi";  perhaps  B<jau 
man  will  renew  his  addresses  again,  should  this  be 
the  case.'  '  Beaurnan  has  other  business  besides  ad 
dressing  the  ladies,'  answered  Mr.  Wyllis.  *  He  has 
marched  to  the  lines  near  New-York,  with  his  new 
raised  company  of  volunteers. '* 

From  this  discourse,  Alonzo  was  convinced  that 
Melissa  was  not  the  person  he  had  seen  at  her  cou 
sin's  the  preceding  evening,  and  hat  she  was  not 
there.  He  also  found  that  Beauman  was  not  in 
town.  Where  to  search  next,  or  what  course  to 
pursue,  he  was  at  a  loss  to  determine. 

The  next  morning  he  rose  early  and  wandered 
about  the  town.  As  he  passed  by  the  hovse  of  Me- 

*New-York  was  then  in  possession  of  the  British 
troops. 


ALOXZO    AND    MELISSA.  103 

lissa's  cousin,  he  saw  the  lady  who  had  appeared 
at  the  window,  walking  in  the  garden.  rJer  air, 
her  figure,  had  very  much  the  appearance  of  Melissa; 
but  the  lineaments  of  her  countenance  were,  when 
viewed  by  the  light  of  day,  widely  dissimilar.  Alon- 
zo  felt  no  curiosity  farther  to  examine  her  features, 
but  passing  on  returned  to  his  lodgings. 

How  he  was  now  to  proceed,  Alonzo  could  not 
readily  decide.  To  return  to  his  native  place,  ap 
peared  to  be  as  useless  as  to  tarry  where  he  was. 
For  many  weeks  he  had  travelled  and  searched  ev 
ery  place  where  he  thought  it  probable  Melissa 
might  be  found,  among  her  relatives  and  elsewhere. 
He  made  every  effort  to  obtain  some  clue  to  her  re 
moval  from  the  old  mansion,  but  he  could  learn 
nothing  but  what  he  had  been  told  by  John.  If  his 
friends  should  ever  hear  of  her,  they  could  not  in 
form  him  thereof,  as  no  one  knew  where  he  was. 
Would  it  not  therefore  be  best  for  him  to  return 
back  and  consult  with  his  friends,  and  if  nothing 
had  been  heard  of  her,  pursue  some  other  mode  of 
inquiry  ?  he  might  at  least  leave  directions  where 
his  friends  might  write  to  him,  in  case  they  should 
have  any  thing  whereof  to  apprise  him. 

An  incident  tended  to  confirm  this  resolution.  He 
one  night  dreamed  that  he  was  sittir.g  in  a  strange 
house,  contemplating  on  his  present  situation,  when. 
Melissa  suddenly  entered  the  room.  Her  appear 
ance  was  more  pale, sickly  and  dejected  than  when  he 
iast  saw  her.  Her  elegant  form  had  wasted  away, 
her  eyes  were  sunk,  her  cheeks  fallen,  her  lips  livid. 
I!e  fancied  it  to  be  night,  she  held  a  candle  in  her 
hand,  smiling  languidly  upon  him; — she  turned  and 
went  out  of  the  room,  beckoning  him  to  follow,  he 
thought  he  immediately  arose  and  followed  her.  She 
glided  through  several  winding  rooms,  ard  art  length 


104  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

he  lost  sight  of  her,  and  the  light  gradually  fading 
away,  he  was  involved  in  deep  darkness  He  grop 
ed  along,  and  at  length  saw  a  faint  distant  glimmer, 
the  course  of  which  he  pursued  until  he  came  into 
a  large  room,  hung  with  black  tapestry,  and  illumin 
ated  by  a  number  of  bright  tapers.  On  one  side  of 
the  room  appeared  a  hearse  on  which  some  person 
was  laid,  he  went  up  to  it — the  first  object  that  ar- 
I  rested  his  attention,  was  the  lovely  form  of  Melissa, 
i  shrouded  in  the  sable  vestments  of  death.  Cold 
!  and  lifeless  she  lay  stretched  upon  the  hearse,  beau- 
{  tiful  even  in  dissolution;  the  dying  smile  of  compla 
cency  had  not  yet  deserted  her  cheek.  The  mu 
sic  of  her  voice  had  ceased,  her  fine  eyes  had  clos 
ed  forever.  Insensible  to  objects  in  which  she  once 
delighted;  to  atriictions  which  had  blasted  her 
blooming  prospects,  and  drained  the  streams  of  life, 
she  lay  like  blossomed  trees  of  spring  overthrown 
by  rude  and  boisterous  winds.  The  deep  groans 
which  convulsed  the  distracted  bosom,  and  shocked 
the  trembling  frame  of  Alonzo,  broke  the  delusive 
charm,  he  awoke  rejoiced  to  find  it  but  a  dream, 
ihough  it  impressed  his  mind  with  doleful  and  por- 
lentous  forebodings. 

It  was  a  long  time  before  he  could  again  close 
his  eyes  to  sleep  ;  he  at  length  fell  into  a  slumber, 
%nd  again  he  dreamed.  He  fancied  himself  with 
Melissa,  at  the  house  of  her  father,  who  had  con 
sented  to  their  union,  and  that  the  marriage  cere 
mony  between  them  was  there  performed.  He 
Liought  that  Melissa  appeared  as  she  had  done  in 
her  most  fortunate  and  sprightly  days,  before  the 
Jarts  of  adversity,  and  the  thorns  of  at}  iction  had 
wounded  her  heart.  Her  father  seemed  to  be  di- 
rested  of  all  his  awful  sternness,  and  gave  her  to 
\lonzo  with  cheerful  freedom.  He  awoke  and  the 

L_ 


ALONZO    AND    MELISiA.  105 

horrors  of  his  former  dream  were  dissipated  by  tha 
happy  influence  of  the  last. 

«  vVho  knows,'  he  said,  '  but  that  this  may  finally 
be  the  case;  but  that  the  sun  of  peace  may  yet  dis 
pel  these  distressful  hours!'  He  arose  determined 
to  return  home  in  a  few  days,  he  went  out  and  en 
joyed  his  morning  walk  in  a  more  composed  frame  of 
spirits  than  he  had  for  ~ome  time  experienced.  He 
returned  and  as  he  was  entering  the  door  he  saw 
the  weekly  newspaper  of  the  town  which  had  been 
published  that  morning,  and  which  the  carrier  had 
just  flung  into  the  hall.  The  family  had  not  yet 
arisen.  He  took  up  the  paper  and  carried  it  to  his 
chamber,  and  opened  it  to  read  the  news  of  the  day. 
He  ran  his  eye  hastily  over  it,  and  was  about  to 
lay  it  aside,  when  the  death  list  attracted  his  atten 
tion,  by  a  display  of  broad  black  lines.  The  first 
article  he  read  therein  was  as  follows. 

*  Died  of  a  consumption  on  the  26th  ult.  at  the 

seat  of  her  uncle,  Col.  W.  D ,  near  Charleston, 

South  Carolina,  whither  she  had  repaired  for  her 

health,  Miss  Melissa  D ,  the  amiable  daughter 

of  J.  D ,  Esq.  of ,  Connecticut,  in  the 

eighteenth  year  of  her  age.' 

The  paper  fell  from  the  palsied  hand — a  sudden 
faintness  came  upon  him — the  room  grew  dark — he 
staggered,  and  fell  senseless  upon  the  floor. 

The  incidents  of  our  story  will  here  produce  a 

pause. The  fanciful  part  of  our  readers  may  cast 

it  aside  in  chagrin  and  disappointment.  '  Such  an 
event,'  may  they  say,  «  we  were  not  prepared  to  ex 
pect.  After  so  many  and  such  various  trials  of 
heart;  afier  innumerable  difficulties  surmounted;  al 
most  invincible  objects  overcome,  and  insuperable 
barriers  removed — after  attending  the  hero  and  he 
roine  of  your  tale  through  the  diversified  scenes  a 


106  ALONZO    AND    MELISS  4.. 

anxiety, suspense,  hope,  disappointment,  expectation- 
joy,  sorrow,  anticipated  bliss,  sudden  and  disasuoua 
woe — after  elevating  them  to  the  threshold  of  hap 
piness,  by  the  premature  death  of  one,  to  plunge  (he 
other,  instantaneously  in  deep  and  irretrievable  des 
pair,  must  not,  cannot  be  right.  Your  story  will 
hereafter  become  languid  and  spiritless;  the  subject 
will  be  uninteresting,  the  theme  unengaging,  since 
the  genius  which  animated  and  enlivened  it  is  gone 
forever. 

Reader  of  sensibility,  stop.  Are  we  not  detailing 
facts  ?  Shall  we  gloss  them  over  with  false  coloring? 
Shall  we  describe  things  as  they  are,  or  as  they  are 
not?  Shall  we  draw  with  the  pencil  of  nature,  or  of 
art  ?  Do  we  indeed  paint  life  as  it  is,  or  as  it  is  not? 
Cast  thine  eyes,  reader,  over  the  ephemeral  circle 
of  passing  and  fortuitous  events?  view  the  change 
of  contingencies;  mark  well  the  varied  and  shifting 
scenery  in  the  great  drama  of  time; — seriously  con 
template  nature  in  her  operations;  minutely  exam 
ine  the  entrance  the  action  and  the  exit  of  charac 
ters  on  the  stage  of  existence — then  say  if  disap 
pointment,  distress,  misery  and  calamitous  woe,  are 
not  the  inalienable  portion  of  the  susceptible  bosom. 
Say  if  the  possession  of  refined  feeling  is  enviable — • 
the  lot  of  Nature's  children  covetable — whether  to 
such  through  life,  the  sprinklings  of  comfort  are  suf 
ficient  to  give  a  zest  to  the  bitter  banquets  of  adversi 
ty — whether  indeed,  sorrow,  siyhing,  and  tears,  are 
not  the  inseparable  attendants  of  all  those  whose 
hearts  are  the  repositories  of  tender  affections  and 
pathetic  sympathies. 

But  what  says  the  moralist  ? — '  Portray  life  as 
it  is.  Delude  not  the  senses  by  deceptive  appear 
ances.  Arouso  your  hero? — call  to  his  aid  Etera 
philosophy  and  sober  reason.  They  will  dissipata 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  107 

the  rainbow-glories  of  unreal  pleasure,  and  banish 
the  glittering  meteors  of  unsubstantial  happinesss, 
Or  if  these  fail,  lead  him  to  the  holy  fane  of.  reli 
gion;  she  will  regulate  the  fires  of  fancy,  and  as 
suage  the  tempest  of  the  passions:  she  will  illumin 
ate  the  dark  wilderness,  and  smooth  the  thorny 
paths  of  life:  she  will  point  him  to  joys  beyond  the 
tomb — to  another  arid  a  better  world;  and  pour  the 
balm  of  consolation  and  serenity  over  his  wounded 
soul.' 

Shall  we  indeed  arouse  Alonzo?  Alas  to  what 
paths  of  grief  and  wretchedness  shall  we  rouse  him! 
To  a  world  to  him  void  and  cheerless — a  world  deso 
late,  sad  and  dreary. 

Alonzo  revived.  '  Why  am  I,'  he  exclaimed,  *  re 
called  to  this  dungeon  of  torment  ?  Why  was  not 
my  spirit  permitted  to  take  its  flight  to  regions 
where  my  guardian  angel  is  gone?  Why  am  I  cursed 
with  memory  ?  Oh  that  I  might  be  blessed  with  for- 
getfulness!  But  why  do  I  talk  of  blessings  ? — Heav 
en  never  had  one  in  store  for  me.  Where  are  fled 
my  anticipated  joys  ?  To  the  bosom,  the  dark  bo- 
sotn  of  the  oblivious  tomb!  There  lie  all  the  graces 
worflr.'of  love  in  life — all  the  virtues  worthy  of 
lamentation  in  death.  There  lies  perfection:  per 
fection  has  here  been  found.  Was  she  not  all 
that  even  heaven  could  demand  ?  Fair,  lovely, 
holy  and  virtuous. — Her  tender  solicitudes,  her  en 
rapturing  endearments,  her  soul  inspiring  blandish 
ments,  gone,  gone  forever?  That  heavenly  form, 
that  discriminate  mind — all  lovely  as  light,  all  puro 
as  a  seraph's — a  prey  to  worms — mingled  with  in- 
coporeal  shadows,  regardless  of  former  inquietudes 
or  delights,  regardless  of  the  keen  anguish  which 
now  wrings  tears  of  blood  from  my  despairing  heart. 


108  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

*  Eternal  disposer  of  events!  if  virtue  be  thy  spe 
cial  care,  why  is  the  fairest  flower  in  the  gar.den  of 
innocence  and  purity  blasted  like  a  noxious  weed? 
why  is  the  bright  gem  of  excellence  trampled  in  the 
dust  like  a  worthless  pebble  ? — Why  is  Melissa  hur 
ried  to  the  tomb  ?' 

Thus  raved  Aionzo.  It  was  evident  that  delirium 
had  partially  seized  his  brain.  He  arose  and  flung 
himself  on  the  bed  in  unspeakable  agony.  *  And 
what,  alas!'  he  again  exclaimed,  «  now  remains  for 
me?  Existence  and  unparalleled  misery.  The  con 
solation  even  of  death  is  denied  me.  But  Melissa  ! 
she — ah,  where  is  she  !  Oh,  reflection  insupporta 
ble1,  insufferable  consideration!  Must  that  heavenly 
frame  putrify,  moulder  and  crumble  into  dust  ?  Must 
the  loathsome  spider  nestle  on  her  lily  bosom?  the 
odious  reptile  riot  on  her  delicate  limbs?  the  worm 
revel  amid  the  roses  of  her  cheek,  fatten  on  her 
temples,  and  bask  in  the  lustre  of  her  eyes?  Alas  ! 
the  lustre  has  become  dimmed  in  death;  the  rose 
and  the  lilly  are  withered;  the  harmony  of  her 
voice  has  ceased;  the  graces,  the  elegancies  of  form, 
the  innumerable  delicacies  of  air,  all  are  gone,  and  I 
am  lef't  in  a  state  of  misery  which  defies  mitigation 
or  comparison.' 

v,.u.«,,sted  by  excess  of  grief,  he  now  lay  in  a  stu- 
pifying  anguish,  until  the  servant  summoned  him  to 
breakfast.  He  told  the  servant  he  was  indisposed 
and  requested  he  might  not  be  disturbed.  Mr.  Wyl- 
lis  and  his  lady  came  up,  anxious  to  yield  him  any 
assistance  in  their  power,  and  advised  him  to  call  a 
physician.  He  thanked  them  hut  told  them  it  was 
unnecessary;  he  only  wanted  rest.  His  extreme  dis 
tress  of  mind  brought  on  a  rele.pse  of  fever,  from 
which  he  had  but  imperfectly  recovered.  For  sev 
eral  days  he  lay  in  a  very  dangerous  and  doubtful 


AtONZO    AND    MELISSA.  109 

state.  A  physician  was  called;  contrary  to  his 
choice  or  knowledge,  as  for  most  part  of  the  time 
his  mind  \\asdelerious  and  sensation  imperfect.  This 
was  probably  the  cause  of  baffiing  the  disorder.  He 
was  in  a  measure  insensible  to  his  woes.  He  did  not 
oppose  the  prescriptions  of  his  physician.  The  fe 
ver  abated:  nature  triumphed  over  disease  of  body 
and  he  slowly  recovered,  but  the  malady  of  his  mind 
was  not  removed. 

He  contemplated  on  the  past.     '  I   fear,'  said  he, 

•  I  have  murmured    against  the    wisdom    of  Provi 
dence.     Forgive,  0,  mercifi'l    Creator!    forgive    the 
frenzies  of  destraction!'    He    now    recollected    that 
Melissa  once  told  him  that  she    had  an    uncle    who 
resided  near  Charleston,  in  South    Carolina;  thithei 
he  supposed  she  had  been  sent  by  her    father,  when 
she  was  removed  from  the  old    mansion,  in  order  to 
prevent  his  having  access  to  her,  and    with    a    view 
to  compel  her  to   marry  Beauman.    Her  appearance 
had  indicated  a  deep   decline  when  he  last  saw  her. 

*  There,'  said  he,  '  far    removed    from    friends  and 
acquaintance,  there  did    she  languish,  there  did  she 
die — a  victim  to  excessive  grief,  and  cruel  parental 
persecution.' 

As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  leave  his  room,  he 
walked  out  one  evening,  and  in  deep  contemplation 
roved,  he  knew  not  where.  The  moon  shone  bril 
liantly  from  her  lofty  throne;  the  chill  heavy  dews  of 
autumn  glittered  on  the  decaying  verdure.  The  cad- 
eat*  croaked  hoarsely  among  the  trees;  the  dirclef 

*Local  names  given  to  certain  American  insects, 
from  their  sound.  They  are  well  known  in  various 
parts  of  the  United  States;  generally  make  their  ap 
pearance  about  the  latter  end  of  August,  and  con 
tinue  until  destroyed  by  the  frost.  The  notes  of  the 


110  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

jmng  mournfully  on  the  grass.  Alonzo  heard  them 
not  ;  he  was  insensible  to  all  external  objects,  un 
til  he  had  imperceptibly  wandered  to  the  rock  on 
the  point  of  the  beach,  verging  the  Sound,  to  which 
he  had  attended  Melissa  the  first  time  he  saw  her 
at  her  cousin's.  Had  the  whole  artillery  of  heaven 
burst  in  sheeted  flame  from  the  skies — had  raging 
winds  mingled  the  roaring  waves  with  the  moun 
tains — had  an  instantaneous  earthquake  burst  be 
neath  his  feet,  his  frame  would  not  have  been  so 
shocked,  his  soul  so  agitated!  Sudden  as  the  blaze 
darts  from  the  electric  cloud  was  he  aroused  to  a 
lively  sense  of  blessings  entombed!  The  memory  of 
departed  joys  passed  with  rapidity  over  his  imagina 
tion;  his  first  meeting  with  Melissa; — the  evening 
he  had  attended  her  to  that  place;  her  frequent  al 
lusions  to  the  scenery  there  displayed,  when  they 
had  traversed  the  fields  or  reclined  in  the  bower  on 
her  favorite  hill;  in  fine,  all  the  vicissitudes  through 
which  they  had  passed,  were  called  to  his  mind. 
His  fancy  saw  her — he  felt  her  gently  leaning  on 
his  arm, 'while  lie  tremblingly  pressed  her  hand. 
Again  he  saw  smiling  health  crimsoning  the  lillies  of 
her  cheek; — again  he  saw  the  bright  soul  of  sympa 
thetic  feelings  sparkling  in  her  eye:  the  air  of  ease; 
the  graces  of  altitude;  her  brown  locks  circling  the 
borders  of  her  snowy  robe.  Again  he  was  enrap 
tured  by  the  melody  of  her  voice.  Once  more  would 
he  have  been  happy  had  not  fancy  changed  the 
scene.  But  alas,  she  shifted  the  curtain.  He  saw 
Melissa  stretched  on  the  sable  hearse,  wrapped  in 
the  dreary  vestments  of  the  grave;  the  roses  with 
ered  ;  the  lillies  faded;  motionless;  the  graces  fled; 

first  are  hoarse,    sprightly    and    discordant  ;  of  the 
last  solemn  and  mournfully  pleasing. 


ALOJTZO    AWD    MELISSA.  Ill 

her  eyes  fixed,  and  sealed  in  the  glaze  of  death! 
Spontaneously  he  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  thus  pour 
ed  forth  the  overcharged  burden  of  his  anguished 
bosom : 

"  Infinite  Ruler  of  all  events!  Great  Sovereign  of 
this  ever  changing  world'.  Omnipotent  Controler  of 
vicissitudes!  Omniscient  dispenser  of  destinies!  The 
beginning,  the  progression,  the  end  is  thine.  Un 
searchable  are  thy  purposes!  mysterious  thy  move 
ments!  inscrutable  thy  operations!  An  atom  of  thy 
creation,  wildered  in  the  mazes  of  ignorance  and 
woe,  would  bow  to  thy  decrees.  Surrounded  with 
impenetrable  gloom,  unable  to  scrutinize  the  past, 

incompetent  to  explore  the  future fain  would  he 

say,  THY  WILL  BE  DONE?  And,  Oh,  that  it  might 
be  consistent  with  that  HIGH  WILL  to  call  thin  atom 
from  a  dungeon  of  wretchedness,  to  worlds  of  light 
and  glory,  where  his  only  CONSOLATION  is  gone." 

Thus  prayed  the  heart-broken  Alonzo.  It  was  in 
deed  a  worldly  prayer;  but  perhaps  as  pure  and  as 
acceptable  as  many  of  our  modern  professors  would 
have  made  on  a  similar  occasion.  He  arose  and  re 
paired  to  his  lodging.  One  determination  only  he 
had  now  fallen  upon — to  bury  himself  and  his  griefa 
from  all  with  whom  he  had  formerly  been  acquaint 
ed.  Why  should  he  return  to  the  scenes  of  his  former 
bliss  and  anxiety,  where  every  door  would  be  inscrib 
ed  with  a  memento  mori,  and  where  every  object 
would  be  shrouded  in  crape  ?  He  therefore  turned 
his  attention  to  the  army  ;  but  the  army  was  far 
distant,  and  he  was  too  feeble  to  prosecute  a  journey 
of  such  an  extent. 

There  were  at  that  time  preparations  for  fitting 
out  a  convoy,  at  private  expense,  from  various 
parts  of  the  United  States,  for  the  protection  of  our 
European  trade ;  they  were  to  rendezvous  at  a  certain 


112  AL.OXZO    AND    MELISSA 

station,  and  thence  proceed  with  the  merchantmen 
under  their  care,  to  the  ports  of  Fra:ice  and  Hoi 
land,  where  our  trade  principally  centered,  and  re 
turn  as  coMvoy  to  some  other  mercantile  fleet. 

One  of  these  ships  of  war  was  then  nearly  fitted 
out  at  New  London.  Alonzo  offered  himself  to  the 
captain,  who,  pleased  with  his  appearance,  gave  him 
the  station  of  commander  of  marines. 

Alonzo  prepared  himself  with  all  speed  for  the 
voyage.  .He  sought,  he  wished  no  acquaintance 
His  only  place  of  resort,  except  to  his  lodgings  and 
the  ship,  was  to  Melissa's  favorite  rock  ;  there  he 
bowed  as  to  the  shrine  of  her  spirit,  and  there  he 
consecrated  his  devotions. 

As  he  was  one  day  passing  through  the  town,  a 
gentleman  stepped  out  of  an  adjoining  house  and 
accosted  him.  Alonzo  immediately  recognized  him 
to  be  the  cousin  of  Melissa,  at  whose  house  he  had 
first  seen  her.  He  was  dressed  in  full  mourning, 
which  was  a  sufficient  indication  that  he  was  appris 
ed  of  her  death.  He  invited  Alonzo  to  his  house, 
and  he  could  not  complaisantly  refuse  the  invitation. 
He  therefore  accepted  it,  and  passed  an  hour  with 
him,  from  whom  he  learnt  that  Melissa  had  been 
sent  to  her  uncle's  at  Charleston,  for  the  recovery 
of  her  health,  where  she  died.  "  Her  premature 
death,"  said  her  cousin,  "  has  borne  so  heavily  upon 
her  aged  father,  that  it  is  feared  he  will  not  long 

survive." "Well  may  it  wring  his  bosom,"  thought 

Alonzo: "his  conscience  can  never  be  at  peace." 

Whether  Melissa's  cousin  had  been  informed  of  the 
particulars  of  Alonzo's  unfortunate  attachment,  was 
not  known,  as  he  instituted  no  conversation  on  the 
subject.  Neither  did  he  enquire  into  Alonzo's  pros 
pects  ;  he  only  invited  him  to  call  again. 

AJonzo  thanked  him,  but  replied  it  would   be 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  113 

doubtful  as  he  should  shortly  leave  town.  He  made 
no  one  a-cquainted  with  his  intentions. 

The  day  at  length  arrived  when  the  ship  was  to 
sail,  and  Alonzo  to  leave  the  shores  of  America. 
They  spread  their  canvass  to  propitious  gales  ;  the 
breezes  rushed  from  their  woody  coverts,  and  majes 
tically  wafted  them  from  the  harbor. 

Slowly  the  land  receded  ;  fields,  forests,  hills, 
mountains,  towns  and  villages  leisurely  withdrew, 
until  they  were  mingled  in  one  common  mass.  The 
ocean  opening,  expanded  and  widened,  presenting  to 
the  astonished  eyes  of  the  untried  mariner  its  wilder 
ness  of  waters.  Near  sunset  Alonzo  ascended  the 
mast  to  take  a  last  view  of  a  country  once  so  dear, 
but  whose  charms  were  now  lost  forever.  The  land 
still  appeared  like  a  semicircular  border  of  dark 
green  velvet  on  the  edge  of  a  convex  mirror.  The 
sun  sunk  in  fleecy  golden  vapors  behind  it.  It  now 
dwindled  to  discolored  and  irregular  spots,  which 
appeared  like  objects  floating,  amidst  the  blue  mists 
of  distance,  on  the  verge  of  the  main,  and  immedi 
ately  all  was  lost  beneath  the  spherical,  watery  sur 
face. 

Alonzo  had  fixed  his  eyes,  as  near  as  his  judgment 
could  direct,  towards  Melissa's  favorite  reck,  till 
nothing  but  sea  was  discoverable.  With  a  he-art 
parting  sigh  he  then  descended.  They  had  now 
launched  into  the  illimitable  world  of  billows,  and 
the  sable  wings  of  night  brooded  over  the  boundless 
deep. 

A  new  scene  was  now  opened  to  Alonzo  in  the 
wonders  of  the  mighty  deep.  The  sun  rising  from 
and  setting  in  the  ocean  ;  the  wide-spread  region  of 
watery  waste,  now  smooth  as  polished  glass,  now 
orged  into  irregular  rolling  hillocks,  then  swelled  to 
"  Blue  trembling  billows,  topp'd  with  foam," 


114  AI.ONZO    .AND    MET.ISSA. 

or  gradually  arising  into  mountr.inous  waves. 
would  he  traverse  the  deck  amid  the  still  hours  of 
midnight,  when  the  moon  silvered  over  the  liquid 
surface:  "  Bright  luminary  of  the  lonely  hour,"  he 
would  sav,  "  that  now  theddest  thy  mild  and  placid 
ray  on  the  woe-worn  head  of  fortune's  fugitive,  dost 
thou  not  also  pensively  shine  on  the  sacred  and  silent 
grave  of  mv  Melissa  ?" 

Favorable  breezes  wafted  them  for  many  days 
over  the  bo?»m  of  the  Atlantic. — At  length  they 
•were  overtaken  by  a  violent  storm.  The  wind  began 
to  blow  strongly  from  the  southwest,  which  soon  in 
creased  to  a  violent  gale.  The  dirgy  scud  first  flew 
swiftly  along  the  sky  ;  then  dark  and  heavy  clouds 
filled  the  atmosphere,  mingling  with  the  top-gallant 
streamers  of  the  ship.  Night  hovered  over  the 
ocean,  rendered  horrible  by  the  intermitting  blaze  of 
lightnings,  the  awful  crash  of  thunder,  and  the  deaf 
ening  roar  of  winds  and  waves.  The  sea  was  roll 
ed  into  mountains,  cupped  with  foaming  fire.  Now 
the  ship  was  soaring  among  the  thunders  of  heaven, 
now  sunk  in  the  abyss  of  waters. 

The  storm  dispersed  the  fleet,  so  that  when  it  a- 
bated,  the  ship  in  which  Alonzo  sailed  tvas  found 
alone;  they,  however,  kept  on  their  course  of  des 
tination,  after  repairing  their  rigging,  which  had 
been  considerably  disordered  by  the  violence  of  the 
gale. 

The  next  morning  they  discovered  a  sail  which 
they  fondly  hoped  might  prove  to  be  one  of  their 
own  fleet,  and  accordingly  made  for  it.  The  ship 
they  were  in  pursuit  of  shortened  sail,  and  towards 
noon  wore  round  and  bore  down  upon  them,  when 
they  discovered  that  it  was  not  a  ship  belonging  to 
their  convoy.  Jt  appeared  to  be  of  equal  force  and 
dimensions  with  that  :f  their  own;  they  therefore, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  115 

in  order  to  prepare  for  the  worst,  got  ready  with 
ell  speed  for  action.  They  slowly  approached  each 
other,  rnanoRUvering  for  the  advantage,  till  the 
strange  ship  ran  up  British  colors,  and  fired  a  gun, 
which  was  immediately  answered  by  the  other,  un 
der  the  flag  of  the  United  States.  It  was  not  long 
before  a  ck>se  and  severe  action  took  place,  which 
continued  for  three  hours,  when  both  ships  were  in 
so  shattered  a  condition  that  they  were  unable  to 
manage  a  gun.*  The  British  had  lost  their  captain, 
and  one  half  their  crew,  most  of  the  remainder  be 
ing  wounded. The  Americans  had  lost  their 

second  officer,  and  their  loss  in  men,  both  killed  and 
wounded,  was  nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  enemy. 

While  they  lay  in  thij,  condition,  unable  either  to 
annoy  each  other  more,  or  to  get  away,  a  large  sail 
appeared,  bearing  down  upon  them,  which  soon 
came  up  and  proved  to  be  an  English  frigate,  and 
which  immediately  tooi  the  American  ship  in  tow, 
after  removing  the  crew  into  the  hold  of  the  frigate. 
The  crew  of  the  British  ship  were  also  taken  on 
board  of  the  frigate,  which  was  no  sooner  done  than 
the  ship  went  down  and  was  buried  beneath  moun 
tains  of  ponderous  waves.  The  frigate  then,  with 
the  American  ship  in  tow,  ms.de  sail,  and  in  a  few 
days  reached  England.  The  wounded  prisoners 
were  sent  to  a  hospital,  'out  the  others  were  confin 
ed  in  a  strong  prison  within  the  precincts  of  Lon 
don. 

The  American  prisoners  were  huddled  into  an 
apartment  witk  Bnrish  convicts  of  various  descrip 
tions.  Among  these  Alonzo  observed  one  whose  de 
meanor  arrested  his  attention.  A  deep  melancholy 

*  The  particulars  of  this  action,  in  the  early  stag?, 
»f  the  American  war,  are  yet  remembered  by  many. 


116  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

was  impressed  upon  his  features;  his  eye  was  wild 
and  despairing;  his  figure  was  interesting,  tall,  ele 
gant  and  handsome.  He  appeared  to  be  about 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  Ke  seldom  conversed,  but 
when  he  dd,  it  was  readily  discovered  that  his  edu 
cation  had  been  above  the  common  cast,  and  he 
possessed  au  enlightened  and  discrimuiating  mind. 
Alonzo  sympathetically  sought  his  acquaintnr.ee,  and 
discovered  therein  a  unison  of  woe. 

One  evening,  when  the  prisoners  were  retired  to 
rest,  the  stranger,  upon  Alonzo's  request,  rehearsed 
the  following  incidents  of  Ins  life. 

"  You  express,"  said  he,  "some  surprise  at  finding 
a  man  of  my  appearance  in  so  degraded  a  situation; 
and  you  wish  to  learn  the  events  which  have  plung 
ed  me  in  this  abject  state.  These,  when  I  briefly 
relate,  your  wonder  will  cease. 

"  My  name  is  Henry  Malcomb;  my  father  was  a 
clergyman  in  the  west  of  England,  and  descended 
from  one  of  the  most  respectable  families  in  those 
parts.  I  received  a  classical  education,  and  then 
entered  the  military  school,  as  I  was  designed  for 
the  army,  to  which  my  earliest  inclinations  led.  As 
soon  as  my  education  was  considered  complete,  an 
ensign's  commission  was  procured  for  me  in  one  of 
the  regiments  destined  for  the  West  Indies.  Previ 
ous  to  its  departure  for  those  islands,  I  became  ac 
quainted  with  a  Miss  Vernon,  who  was  a  few  years 
younger  than  myself,  and  the  daughter  of  a  gentle 
man  farmer,  who  had  recently  purchased  and  re 
moved  to  an  estate  in  my  father's  parish.  Every 
thing  that  was  graceful  and  lovely  appeared  center 
ed  in  her  person;  every  thing  that  was  virtuous  and 
excellent  in  her  mind.  I  sought  her,  hand.  Our  soula 
soon  became  united  by  the  indissoluble  bonds  of  sin- 
cerest  love,  and  as  there  were  no  parental  or  other 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  117 

impediments  to  our  iniion,  it  was  agreed  that  as  soon 
as  I  returned  from  the  Indies,  where  it  was  expect 
ed  that  my  stay  would  be  short,  the  marriage  solem 
nities  should  be  performed.  Solemn  oaths  of  con 
stancy  passed  between  us,  and  I  sailed  with  my  reg 
iment,  for  the  Indies. 

"  While  there,  I  received  from  her,  and  returned 
Otters  filled  with  the  tenderest  expressions  of  anx 
iety  and  regret  of  absence.  At  length  the  time 
same  when  we  were  to  embark  for  England,  where 
we  arrived  after  an  absence  of  about  eighteen 
months.  The  moment  I  got  on  land  I  hastened  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Vernon,  so  see  the  charmer  of  my 
soul.  She  received  me  with  all  the  ardency  of  af 
fection,  and  even  shed  tears  of  joy  in  my  presence. 
1  pressed  her  to  name  the  day  which  was  to  perfect 
our  union  and  happiness,  and  the  next  Sunday,  four 
days  only  distant,  was  agreed  upon  for  me  to  lead 
her  to  the  alter.  How  did  my  heart  bound  at  the 
prospect  of  making  Miss  Vernon  my  own! — of  pos 
sessing  in  her  all  that  could  render  life  agreeable;  I 
hastened  home  to  my  family  and  informed  them  of 
my  approaching  bliss,  who  all  sympathized  in  the 
anticipated  joy  which  swelled  my  bosom. 

*'  I  had  a  sister  some  years  older  than  myself, 
who  had  been  the  friend  and  inmate  of  my  angel  in 
my  absence.  They  were  now  almost  every  day  to 
gether,  so  that  I  had  frequent  opportunities  of  her 
company.  One  day  she  had  been  with  rny  sister  at 
my  father's,  and  I  attended  her  home.  On  my  re 
turn,  my  sister  requested  me  to  attend  her  in  a  pri 
vate  room.  We  therefore  retired,  and  when  we 
were  seated  she  thus  addressed  me. 

•*'  Henry,  you  know  that  to  promote  yeur  peace, 
your  welfare,  and  your  happiness,  has  ever  been  the 
pride  of  my  heart.  Nothing  except  this  could  ex- 


118  ALorrz^  AND 


tort  the  secret  which  I  shall  now  oisclose,  and 
which  has  yet  remained  deposited  in  my  own  bosom: 
my  duty  to  a  brother  whom  I  esteem  dear  as  life, 
forbids  me  to  remain  silent.  As  an  affectionate  sis 
ter,  I  cannot  tacitly  see  you  thus  imposed  upon;  I 
cannot  see  you  the  dupe  and  slave  of  an  artful  and 
insidious  woman,  who  does  not  sincerely  return  your 
love,  nor  can  I  bear  to  see  your  marriage  consum 
mated  with  one  whose  soul  and  affections  are  placed 
upon  another  object." 

"  Here  she  hesitated  —  while  I,  with  insufferable 
anguish  of  mind,  begged  her  to  proceed. 

"About  six  or  eight  months  after  your  departure," 
she  continued,  "it  was  reported  to  Miss  Vernon  that 
she  had  a  rival  in  the  Indies;  that  you  had  there 
found  an  American  beauty,  on  whom  you  lavished 
those  endearments  which  belonged  of  right  to  her 
alone.  This  news  made,  at  first,  a  deep  impression 
on  her  rnind,  but  it  soon  wore  away;  and  whether 
from  this  cause,  from  fickleness  of  disposition,  or 
that  she  never  sincerely  loved  you,  I  know  not;  but 
this  I  do  know,  that  a  youth  has  been  for  some  time 
past  her  almost  constant  companion.  To  convince 
you  of  this,  you  need  only  tomorrow  evening,  about 
sunset,  conceal  yourself  near  the  long  avenue  by  the 
side  of  the  rivulet,  back  of  Mr.  Vernon's  country- 
house,  where  you  will  undoubtedly  surprise  Miss 
Vernon  and  her  companion  in  their  usual  evening's 
walk.  If  I  should  be  mistaken  I  will  submit  to  your 
censure;  but  should  you  find  it  as  I  have  predicted, 
you  have  only  to  rush  from  your  concealment, 
charge  her  with  her  perfidy,  and  renounce  her  for 
ever." 

"  Of  all  the  plagues,  of  all  the  torments,  of  all 
the  curses  which  tcrture  the  soul,  jealousy  of  a  rival 
in  love  is  the  worst.  Enraged,  confounded  and 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  119 

tonished,  it  seemed  as  if  my  bosom  would  have  in- 
stantaneously  burst.  To  conceal  my  emotions,  I 
left  my  sister's  apartment,  after  having  thanked  her 
for  her  information,  and  proceeded  to  obey  her  in 
junction.  I  retired  to  my  own  room,  and  there 
poured  out  my  execrations. 

'-"  Cursed  woman!"  I  exclaimed,  "is  it  thus  you  re 
quite  my  tender  love!  Could  a  vague  report  of  my 
inconstancy  drive  you  to  infidelity!  Did  not  my 
continual  letters  breathe  constant  adoration  ?  And 
did  not  yours  pouitray  the  same  sincerity  of  affec 
tion  ?  No,  it  was  not  that  which  caused  you  to 
perjure  yovr  plighted  vows.  It  was  that  damnable 
passion  for  novelty,  which  more  or  less  holds  a  pre 
dominancy  over  your  whole  sex.  To  a  new  coat,  a 
new  face,  a  new  lover,  you  will  sacrifice  honor, 
principle  and  virtue.  And  to  those,  backed  by  splen 
did  power  and  splendid  property,  you  will  forfeit 
vour  most  sacred  engagements,  though  made  in  the 
presence  of  heaven. — Thus  did  1  rave  through  a 
sleepless  night. 

"  The  next  day  I  walked  into  the  fields,  and  be 
fore  the  time  my  sister  appointed  had  arrived,  I 
worked  up  my  feelings  almost  to  the  frenzy  of  dis 
traction.  1  repaired  however,  to  the  spot,  and  con 
cealed  myself  in  the  place  she  had  named,  which 
was  a  tuft  of  laurels  by  the  side  of  the  walk.  I 
soon  perceived  Miss  Vernon  strolling  down  the  ave 
nue,  arm  in  arm  with  a  young  man  elegantly  dress 
ed,  and  of  singular,  delicate  appearance.  They 
were  earnestly  conversing  in  a  low  tone  of  voice; 
the  hand  of  my  false  fair  "one  was  gently  pressed  in 
the  hands  of  the  stranger.  As  soon  as  they  had 
passed  the  place  of  my  concealment,  they  turned 
aside  and  seated  themselves  in  a  little  arbor,  a  few 
yards  distant  from  where  I  sat.  The  stranger  clasp 


.'20  ALOXZO    AND    MELISSA. 

ed  Miss  Vernon  in  his  arms:  "  Dearest  angel!"  ha 
exclaimed,  "  what  an  interruption  to  our  bliss  by 
the  return  of  my  hated  rival!"  With  fond  caresses 
and  endearing  blandishments,  "  fear  nothing,"  she 
replied;  "  I  have  promised  and  must  yield  him  my 
hand,  but  you  shall  never  be  excluded  from  my  heart; 
we  shall  find  sufficient  opportunities  for  pri-vate  con 
ference."  I  could  contain  myself  no  longer — my 
brain  was  on  fire.  Quick  as  lightning  I  sprang  from 
my  covert,  and  presenting  a  pistol  which  I  had  con 
cealed  under  my  robe, — "  Die!"  said  I,  "thou  false 
and  perjured  wretch,  by  the  hand  thou  hast  dishon 
ored,  a  death  too  mild  for  so  foul  a  crime!"  and  im 
mediately  shot  Miss  Vernon  through  the  head,  who 
fell  lifeless  at  my  feet!  Then  suddenly  drawing  my 
sword,  "  And  thou,  perfidious  contarninator  and  de 
stroyer  of  my  bliss!"  cried  I — "go! — attend  thy  com 
panion  in  iniquity  to  the  black  regions  of  everlasting 
torment!"  So  saying,  I  plunged  the  sword  into  his 
bosom.  A  screech  of  agony,  attended  by  the  ex 
clamation,  "  Henry,  your  wife  !  your  sister!" 
awoke  me,  too  late,  to  terrors  unutterable,  to  an 
guish  unspeakable,  to  woes  irretrievable,  and  insup 
portable  despair!  It  was  indeed  my  betrothed  wife, 
it  was  indeed  my  affectionate  sister,  arrayed  in  man's 
habit.  The  one  lay  dead  before  me,  the  other  wel 
tering  in  her  blood!  With  a  feeble  and  expiring 
voice,  my  sister  informed  me,  that  in  a  gay  and  in 
considerate  moment  they  had  concerted  this  plan,  to 
try  my  jealousy,  determining  to  discover  themselves 
as  soon  as  they  had  made  the  experiment.  "  I  for 
give  you  Henry,"  she  said,  "  I  forgive  your  mis 
take,"  and  closed  her  eyes  forever  in  death!  What 
a  scene  for  sensibilities  like  mine!  To  paint  or  de 
scribe  it,  exceeds  the  power  of  language  or  imagina 
tion.  I  instantly  turned  the  sword  against  my  own 


ALO1TZO    AITD    MELISSA.  121 

,  an  unknown  hand  arrested  it,  and  prevented 
its  entering  my  heart.  The  report  of  the  pistol,  and 
the  dying1  screech  of  my  sister,  had  alarmed  Mr. 
Vernon's  family,  who  arrived  at  that  moment,  one 
of  whom  had  seized  my  arm,  and  thus  hindered  me 
from  destroying  my  own  life.  I  submitted  to  be 
bound  and  conveyed  to  prison.  My  trial  came  on 
at  (he  last  assizes.  I  made  no  defence;  and  was 
condemned  to  death.  My  execution  will  take  place 
in  eight  weeks  from  to-rnorrow.  I  shall  cheerfully 
meet  my  fate ;  for  who  would  endure  lift;  when  ren 
dered  so  peculiarly  miserable!" 

The  wretched  Malcomb  here  ended  his  tale  of 
woe.  No  tear  moistened  his  eye — his  grief  was  too 
despairing  for  tears;  it  preyed  upon  his  heart,  drank 
the  vital  streams  of  life,  and  burst  in  convulsive 
sighs  from  his  burning  bosorn. 

Alonzo  seriously  contemplated  on  the  incidents 
•md  events  of  the  tragical  story.  Conscience  whis 
pered  him,  are  not  Malcomb's  miseries  superior  to 
thine  ?  Candor  and  correct  reason  must  have  an 
swered  yes.  "  Melissa  perished,"  said  Alonzo,  "but 
not  by  the  hand  of  her  lover:  she  expired,  but  not 
through  the  mistaken  frenzy  of  him  who  adored  her. 
She  died,  conscious  cf  the  unfeigned  love  I  bore 
her." 

Alonzo  and  his  fellow  prisoners  had  been  robbed, 
when  they  were  captured,  of  every  thing  except  the 
clothes  they  wore.  Their  allowance  of  provisions 
was  scanty  and  poor.  They  were  confined  in  the 
third  story  of  a  lofty  prison.  Time  rolled  away; 
no  prospects  appeared  of  their  liberation,  either  by 
exchange  or  parole.  Some  of  the  prisoners  were 
removed,  as  new  ones  were  introduced,  to  other 
places  of  confinement  until  not  one  American  was 
left  except  Alonzo. 


122  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

Meantime  the  day  appointed  for  the  execution  of 
Malcomb  drew  near.  His  past  and  approaching 
fate  filled  the  breast  of  Alonzo  with  sympathetic 
sorrow.  He  saw  his  venerable  father,  his  mother 
his  friends  and  acquaintance,  with  several  pious 
clergymen,  frequently  enter  the  prison  to  console 
and  comfort  him,  and  to  prepare  him  for  the  un 
changeable  state  on  which  he  was  soon  to  enter. 
He  saw  his  mind  softened  by  their  advice  and 
counsel; — frequently  would  he  burst  into  tears; — 
often  in  the  solitary  hours  of  night  was  he  heard  ad 
dressing  the  throne  of  grace  for  mercy  and  forgive 
ness.  But  the  grief  that  preyed  at  his  heart  had 
wasted  him  to  a  mere  skeleton;  a  slow  but  deleteri 
ous  fever  had  consequently  implanted  itself  in  hia 
constitution.  Exhausted  nature  could  make  but  a 
weak  struggle  against  disease  and  affliction  like  his, 
and  about  a  week  previous  to  the  day  appointed  for 
his  execution,  he  expired  in  peace  and  penitence, 
trusting  in  the  mercy  of  his  Creator  through  the  suf 
ferings  of  a  Redeemer. 

Soon  after  this  event,  orders  came  for  removing 
some  of  the  prisoners  to  a  most  loathsome  place  ot 
confinement  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city.  It  fell  to 
Alonzo's  lot  to  be  one.  He  therefore  formed  a  pro 
ject  for  escaping.  He  had  observed  that  the  gra 
tings  in  one  of  the  windows  of  the  apartment  were 
loose  and  could  be  easily  removed.  One  night  when, 
the  prisoners  were  asleep,  he  stripped  off  his  clothes, 
every  article  of  which  he  cut  into  narrow  strips, 
tied  them  together,  fastened  one  end  to  one  of  the 
strongest  gratings,  removed  the  others  until  he  had 
made  an  opening  large  enough  to  get  out,  and  then, 
by  the  rope  he  had  made  of  his  clothes,  let  himself 
down  into  the  yard  of  the  prison.  There  he  found 
a  long  piece  of  timbers  which  he  dragged  to  the 


.ALONZO     AND    MELISSA.  123 

wall,  clambered  up  thereon,  and  sprang  over  into 
the  street.  His  shoes  and  hat  he  had  left  in  the 
prison,  as  a  useless  encumbrance  without  his  clothes, 
all  which  he  had  converted  into  the  means  of  es 
cape,  so  that  he  was  now  literally  stark  naked.  He 
stood  a  moment  to  reflect: — "  Here  am  I,"  said  he, 
"  freed  from  my  local  prison  indeed,  but  in  the 
midst  of  an  enemy's  country,  without  a  friend,  with 
out  the  mean?  of  obtaining  one  day's  subsistence,' 
surrounded  by  the  darkness  of  night,  destitute  of  a 
single  aiticle  of  clothing,  and  even  unable  to  form  a 
resolution  what  step  next  to  take.  The  ways  of 
heaven  are  marvellous — may  I  silently  bow  to  its 
dispensations!" 

Alonzo  passed  along  the  street  in  this  forlorn  con 
dition,  not  knowing  where  to  proceed,  or  what 
course  to  take.  It  was  about  three  o'clock  in  tho 
morning;  the  street  was  illuminated  by  lamps,  and 
he  feared  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  watch.  For 
some  time  he  saw  no  person,  at  length  a  voice  from 

the  other  side  of    the  street  called   out, "Hallo, 

messmate!  what,  scudding  under  hare  poles?  You 
have  experienced  a  severe  gale  indeed  thus  to  have 
carried  away  every  rag  of  sail!" 

Alonzo  turned,  and  saw  the  person  who  spoke. 
He  was  a  decent  looking  man,  of  middle  age,  dress 
ed  in  a  sailor's  habit.  Alonzo  had  often  heard  of 
the  generosity  and  honorable  conduct  of  the  British 
tars:  he  therefore  approached  him  and  told  him  his 
real  case,  not  even  concealing  his  being  taken  in 
actual  hostility  to  the  British  government,  and  his 
escape  from  prison.  The  sailor  mused  for  a  few 
minutes.  "  Thy  case,"  said  he,  "  is  a  little  critical, 
but  do  not  despair.  Had  I  met  thee  as  an  enemy,  I 
should  have  fought  thee;  but  as  it  is,  compassion  is 
the  first  consideration.  Perhaps  I  may  be  in  as  bad 


124  AIONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

a  situation  before  the  war  is  ended."  Then  slipping 
off  his  coat  and  giving  it  to  Alonzo,  "  follow  me," 
he  said,  and  turning,  walked  hastily  along  the  street 
followed  by  Alonzo;  he  passed  into  a  bye-lane, 
entered  a  small  house,  and  taking  Alonzo  into  a 
back  room,  opened  a  trunk,  and  handed  out  a  shirt: 
"  there,"  said  he,  pointing  to  a  bed,  "you  can  sleep 
till  morning,  when  we  will  see  what  can  be  done." 

The  next  morning  the  sailor  brought  in  a  very  de 
cent  suit  of  clothes  and  presented  them  to  Alonzo. 
"  You  will  make  this  place  your  home,"  said  he, 
"until  more  favorable  prospects  appear.  In  this  great 
city  you  will  be  safe,  for  even  your  late  gaoler  would 
not  recognize  you  in  this  dress.  And  perhaps  some 
opportunity  may  offer  by  which  you  may  return  to 
your  own  country."  He  told  Alonzo  that  his  name 
was  Jack  Brown,  that  he  was  a  midshipman  on 
board  the  Severn;  that  he  had  a  wife  and  four  chil 
dren,  and  owned  the  house  in  which  they  then  were. 
"  In  order  to  prevent  suspicion  or  discovery,"  said 
he,  "  I  shall  consider  you  as  a  relation  from  the 
country  until  you  are  better  provided  for."  Alonzo 
was  then  introduced  to  the  sailor's  wife,  an  amiable 
woman,  and  here  he  remained  for  several  weeks. 

One  day  Alonzo  was  informed  that  a  number  of 
American  prisoners  were  brought  in.  He  went  to 
the  place  where  they  were  landed,  and  saw  several 
led  away  to  prison,  and  some  who  were  sick  or  dis 
abled,  carried  to  the  hospital.  As  the  hospital  was 
near  at  hand,  Alonzo  entered  it  to  see  how  the  sick 
and  disabled  prisoners  were  treated. 

He  found  that  they  received  as  much  attention  as 
as  could  reasonably  be  expected.*  As  he  passed  a- 

*  The  Americans  who  were  imprisoned  in  Eng 
land,  in  the  time  of  war,  were  treated  with  much 


ALOXZO    AND    MELISSA  125 

long  the  different  apartments  he  was  surprised  at 
hearing  his  name  called  by  a  faint  voice.  He  turn 
ed  to  the  place  from  whence  it  proceeded,  and  saw 
stretched  on  a  mattress,  a  person  who  appeared  on 
the  point  of  expiring.  His  visage  was  pale  and 
emaciated,  his  countenance  haggard  and  ghastly, 
his  eyes  inexpressive  and  glazy.  He  held  out  his 
withered  hand,  and  feebly  beckoned  to  Alonzo,  who 
immediately  approached  him.  Mis  features  appear 
ed  not  unfamiliar  to  Alonzo,  but  for  a  moment  he 
could  not  recollect  him.  "  You  do  not  know  me," 
said  the  apparently  dying  stranger.  "Beauman!" 
exclaimed  Alonzo,  in  surprise.  "  Yes,"  replied  the 
sick  man,  "  it  is  Beauman — you  behold  me  on  the 
verge  of  eternity,  I  have  but  a  short  time  to  contin 
ue  in  this  world."  Alonzo  enquired  how  he  came 
in  the  power  of  the  enemy.  "  By  the  fate  of  war," 
he  replied;  "  I  was  taken  in  an  action  on  York 
Island,  carried  on  board  a  prison-ship  in  New-York, 
and  sent  with  a  number  of  others  for  England.  I 
had  received  a  wound  in  my  thigh,  from  a  musket 
ball,  during  the  action;  the  wound  mortified,  and  my 
thigh  was  amputated  on  the  voyage;  since  which  I 
have  been  rapidly  wasting  away,  and  I  now  feel- 
that  the  cold  hand  of  death  is  laid  upon  me."  Here 
he  became  exhausted,  and  for  some  time  remained 
silent.  Alonzo  had  not  before  discovered  that  he 
had  lost  his  leg:  he  now  discovered  that,  it  had  been 
taken  off  close  to  his  body,  and  that  he  was  worn 
to  a  skeleton.  When  Beauman  revived,  he  enquired 
into  Alonzo's  affairs.  Alonzo  related  all  that  had 
happened  to  him  after  leaving  New  London. 
"You  are  unhappy,  Alonzo,"  said  Beauman,  "in  the 

more  humanity  than  those    who  were  imprisoned  at 
Halifax  and  other  places  in  America. 


126  AXONZO  AND  MELI8SA- 

dcatL  of  your  Melissa,  to  which  it  is  possible  I  have 
been  undesigned ly  accessory.  I  could  say  much  on 
the  subject,  would  my  strength  permit;  but  it  is 
needless.  She  is  gone  and  I  must  soon  go  also. 
She  was  sent  to  her  uncle's  at  Charleston,  by  her 
father,  where  I  was  soon  to  follow  her.  It  was  sup 
posed  that  thus  widely  removed  from  all  access  to 
your  company,  she  would  yield  to  the  persuasion  of 
her  vViends  to  renounce  you  :  her  unexpected  death, 
however,  frustrated  every  design  of  this  nature,  and 
overwhelmed  her  father  and  family  in  inexpressible 
woe." 

Here  Beauman  ceased.  Alonzo  found  he  wanted 
rest:  he  enquired  whether  he  was  in  want  of  any 
thing  to  make  him  more  comfortable.  Beauman  re 
plied  that  he  was  not:  "  For  the  comforts  of  this 
life,"  said  he,  "  I  have  no  relish;  medical  aid  is  ap 
plied,  but  without  effect."  Alon/o  then  left  him 
promising  to  call  again  in  the  morning. 

When  ^Alonzo  called  the  next  morning,  he  perceiv 
ed  an  alarming  alteration  in  Beaurnan.  His  extrem 
ities  were  cold,  a  chilling,  clammy  sweat  stood  upon 
his  face,  his  respiration  was  short  and  interrupted, 
his  pulse  weak  and  intermitting.  He  took  the  hand 
of  Alonzo,  and  feebly  pressing  it, — "  I  am  dying," 
said  he  in  a  faint  voice.  "  If  ever  you  return  to 
America,  inform  my  friends  of  my  fate."  This 
Alonzo  readily  engaged  to  do,  and  told  him  also  that 
he  would  not  leave  him. 

Beauman  soon  fell  into  a  stupor;  sensation  be 
came  suspended;  his  eyes  rolled  up  and  fixed.  Some 
times  a  partial  revival  would  take  place,  when  he 
would  fall  into  incoherent  muttering,  calling  on  the 
names  of  his  deceased  father,  his  mother  and  Melis- 
ea;  his  voice  dying  away  in  'mperfect  meanings,  till 
his  lips  continued  to  move  without  sound.  Toward* 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  127 

night  he  lay  silent,  and  only  continued  to  bi  eat  lie 
with  difficulty,  til!  a  slight  convulsion  gave  the  freed 
spirit  to  the  unknown  regions  of  immaterial  existence. 
Alonzo  followed  his  remains  to  the  grave:  a  natural 
stone  was  placed  at  his  head,  on  which  Alonzo,  un 
observed,  carved  the  initials  of  the  deceased's  name, 
with  the  date  of  his  death,  and  left  him  to  mouider 
with  his  native  dust. 

A  few  days  after  this  event,  Jack  Brown  informed 
AlonzO;  that  he  had  procured  the  means  of  his  es 
cape.  A  person  with  whom  I  am  acquainted,  said 
he,  and  whom  I  suppose  to  be  a  smuggler,  has 
agreed  to  carry  you  to  France.  There,  by  applica 
tion  to  the  American  minister,  you  will  be  enabled 
*o  get.  to  your  own  country,  if  that  is  your  object. 
About  midnight  I  will  pilot  you  on  board,  and  by  to 
morrow's  sun  you  may  be  in  France." 

At  the  time  appointed,  Jack  set  out,  bearing  a 
large  trunk  on  his  shoulder,  and  directed  Alonzo  to 
follow  him.  They  proceeded  down  to  a  quay,  and 
went  or«  board  a  small  skiff.  "  Here"  said  Jack  to 
the  capiain,  "is  the  gentleman  I  spoke  to  you  about," 
and  delivered  him  the  trunk.  Then  taking  Alonzo 
aside,  "  in  that  trunk,"  said  he,  "  are  a  few  chan 
ges  of  linen,  and  here  is  something  to  help  you  till 
you  can  help  yourself."  So  saying,  he  slipped  ten 
guineas  into  his  hand.  Alonzo  expressed  his  grati 
tude  with  tears.  "  Say  nothing,"  said  Jack,  "  we 
were  born  to  help  each  other  in  distress,  and  may 
jack  never  weather  a  storm  or  splice  a  rope,  if  he 
permits  a  fellow  creature  to  suffer  with  want  while 
ho  has  a  luncheon  on  board."  He  then  shook 
Alon/o  by  the  hand,  wishi  ig  him  a  good  voyage, 
and  went  whistling  away.  The  skiff  soon  sailed, 
and  the  next  morning  Alonzo  was  landed  in  France. 
Alonzo  proceeded  immediately  to  Paris,  not  with  a 


128  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

riew  of  returning  to  America;  he  had  no  relish  fof 
revisiting  the  land  of  his  sorrows,  the  scenes  where 
at  every  step  his  heart  must  bleed  afresh,  though  to 
bleed  it  had  never  coased.  But  he  was  friendless  in 
a  strange  land:  perhaps,  through  the  aid  of  the  Amer 
ican  minister^  Dr.  Franklin,  to  whose  fame  Alonzo 
was  no  stranger,  he  might  be  placed  in  a  situation 
to  procure  bread,  which  was  all  he  at  present  hopes? 
or  wished. 

He  therefore  presented  himself  before  the  doctor, 
whom  he  found  in  his  study. — To  be  informed  that 
he  was  an  America  and  unfortunate,  was  sufficient 
to  arouse  the  feelings  of  Franklin.  He  desired 
Alonzo  to  be  seated,  and  to  recite  his  history.  This 
he  readily  complied  with,  not  concealing  his  attach 
ment  to  Melissa,  her  father's  barbarity,  her  death  in 
consequence,  his  own  father's  failure,  with  all  the 
particulars  of  his  leaving  America,  his  capture, 
escape  from  prison,  and  arrival  in  France;  as  also 
the  town  of  his  nativity,  the  name  of  his  father,  and 
the  particular  circumstances  of  his  family;  conclud 
ing  by  expressing  his  unconquerable  reluctance  to 
return  to  his  native  country,  which  now  would  be  to 
him  only  a  gloomy  wilderness,  and  that  his  present 
object  was  only  some  means  of  support. 

The  doctor  enquired  of  Alonzo  the  particular  cir 
cumstances  and  time  of  his  father's  failure.  Of  this 
Alonzo  gave  him  a  minute  account.  Franklin  then 
eat  in  deep  contemplation  for  the  space  of  fifteen 
minutes,  without  speaking  a  word.  He  then  took 
his  pen,  wrote  a  short  note,  directed  it,  and  gave  it 
to  Alonzo:  "  Deliver  this,"  said  he,  "  to  the  per 
son  to  whom  it  is  directed;  he  will  find  you  employ 
ment,  until  something  more  favorable  may  offer." 

Alonzo  look  the  note,  thanked  the  doctor,  and 
wvsnt  in  search  of  the  person  to  whom  it  was  ad- 


ALOtfZO    AND    MELISSA.  12* 

pressed.  He  soon  found  the  house,  which  w?s  sit 
uated  in  one  of  the  most  popular  streets  in  Paris. 
He  knocked  at  the  door,  which  was  opened  by  an 
elderly  looking  man:  Alonzo  enquired  for  the  man 
to  whom  the  note  was  addressed.  The  gentleman 
informed  him  that  he  was  the  man.  Alonzo  present 
ed  him  the  note,  which  having  read,  he  desired  him 
to  walk  in  and  ordered  supper.  After  supper  he  in 
formed  Alonzo  that  he  was  an  English  bookseller^ 
that  he  should  employ  him  as  a  clerk,  and  desired 
to  know  what  wages  he  demanded.  Alonzo  replied 
that  he  should  submit  that  to  him,  being  unacquaint 
ed  with  the  customary  salary  of  clerks  in  that  line 
of  business.  The  gentleman  told  him  that  the  mat 
ter  should  be  arranged  the  next  day.  His  name  was 
Grafton. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Grafton  took  Alonzo  into 
his  bookstore,  and  gave  him  his  instructions.  His 
business  was  to  sell  the  books  to  customers,  and  a 
list  of  prices  was  given  him  for  that  pl'rpo^3e.  Mr. 
Grafton  counted  out  twenty  crowns  and  gave  them 
to  Alonzo:  "  You  may  want  some  necessaries,"  said 
he;  *«  and  as  you  have  set  no  price  on  your  services, 
we  shall  not  differ  about  the  wages,  if  you  are  atten 
tive  and  faithful." 

Alonzo  gave  his  employer  no  reason  to  complain; 
nor  had  he  any  reason  to  be  discontented  with  his 
situation.  Mr.  Grafton  regularly  advanced  him 
twenty  crowns  at  the  commencement  of  every  month, 
and  boarded  him  in  his  family.  Alonzo  dressed  in 
deep  mourning.  He  sought  no  company;  he  found 
consolation  only  in  solitude,  if  consolation  it  could 
be  called. 

As  he  was  walking  out  early  one  morning,  he  dis 
covered  something  lying  in  the  street,  which  he  at 
(JR*.  supposed  to  be  a  small  piece  of  wlk:  he  took  it 
»* 


180  ALONZO    AWD    MELTSBA. 

up  and  found  it  in  be  a  curious  wrought  purse,  con 
taining  a  few  guineas  with  some  small  pieces  of  sil 
ver,  and  something  at  the  bottom  carefully  wrapped 
in  a  pwce  of  paper;  he  unfolded  it,  and  was  thun 
derstruck  at  beholding  an  elegant  miniature  of  Me 
lissa'.  Her  sweetly  pensive  features,  her  expressive 
countenance,  her  soul-enlivening  eye!  The  shock 
was  almost  too  powerful  for  his  senses.  Wildered 
in  a  maz.e  of  wonders,  he  knew  not  what  to  conjec 
ture.  Melissa's  minature  found  in  the  streets  of 
Paris,  after  she  had  sometime  been  dead!  He  view 
ed  it,  he  clasped  it  to  his  bosom. — "  Such,"  said  he, 
«'  did  she  appear  ere  the  corroding  cankers  of  grief 
had  blighted  her  heavenly  charms!  By  what  provi 
dential  miracle  am  I  possessed  of  the  likeness,  when 
the  original  is  no  more  ?  What  benevolent  angel 
has  taken  pity  on  my  sufferings,  and  conveyed  to  me 
this  inestimable  prixe  ?" 

But  though  he  had  thus  become  possessed  of 
what  he  esteemed  most  valuable,  what  right  had  he 
to  withhold  it  from  the  lawful  owner,  could  the 
owner  indeed  be  found  ?  Perhaps  the  person  who 
had  lost  it  would  part  with  it:  perhaps  the  money 
contained  in  the  purse  was  of  more  value  to  that 
person  than  the  miniature.  At  any  rate,  justice  re 
quired  that  he  should  endeavor  to  find  to  whom  it 
belonged:  this  he  might  do  by  advertising,  which  he 
immediately  concluded  upon,  resolving,  should  the 
owner  appear,  to  purchase  the  miniature,  if  possibly 
within  his  power. 

Passing  into  another  street,  he  saw  several  hand- 
billi*  stuck  up  on  the  walls  of  houses:  stepping  up  to 
>n«  he  read  as  follows: 

»'  Lost,  between  the  hours    of  nine  and    ten    last 
evening  in  the  Rue  de  Loir,  a  small  silk  purse,  con- 
a  few  pieces  of  money,  and  a  lady's   rninia- 


ALONZfl    AND    MELISSA.  181 

•ure.  One  hundred  crowns  will  be  given  to  the  per- 
eon  who  may  have  found  it,  and  will  restore  it  to 
the  owner  at  the  American  Hotel,  near  the  Louvre, 
Room  No.  4." 

It  was  printed  both  in  the  French  and  English 
languages.  By  the  reward  here  offered,  Alonzo  was 
convinced  that  the  miniature  belonged  to  some  per- 
eon  who  set  a  value  upon  it.  Determined  to  expli 
cate  the  mystery t  he  proceeded  immediately  to  the 
place,  found  the  room  mentioned  in  the  bill,  and 
knocked  at  the  door.  A  servant  appeared,  of  whom 
Alonzo  enquired  for  the  lodger.  The  servant  an 
swered  him  in  French,  which  Alonzo  did  not  under 
stand-  he  replied  in  his  own  language,  but  found  it 
was  unintelligible  to  the  servant.  A  grave  middle 
aged  gentleman  then  came  to  the  door  from  within 
the  room  and  ended  their  jabbering  at  each  other; 
he  in  the  English  language,  desired  Alonzo  to  walk 
in.  It  was  an  apartment  neatly  furnished;  no  per 
son  was  therein  except  the  gentleman  and  servant 
before  mentioned,  and  a  person  who  sat  writing  in 
a  corner  of  the  room,  with  his  back  towards  them. 

Alonzo  informed  the  gentleman  that  he  had  called 
according  to  the  direction  in  a  bill  of  advertisement 
to  enquire  for  the  person  who  the  preceding  night, 
had  lost  a  purse  and  miniature.  The  person  who 
was  writing  had  hitherto  taken  no  notice  of  what 
passed;  but  at  the  sound  of  Alonzo's  voice,  after  he 
had  entered  the  room,  he  started  and  turned  about, 
and  at  the  mention  of  the  miniature,  he  rose  up. 
Alonzo  fixed  his  eyes  upon  him:  they  both  stood  for  a 
few  moments  silent;  for  a  short  time  their  recollec 
tion  was  confused  and  imperfect,  but  the  mists  of 
doubt  were  soon  dissipated.  "  Edgar!" — "Alonzo!" 
they  alternately  exclaimed.  It  was  indeed  Edgar, 
the  early  friend  and  fellow  student  of  Aionzo — th« 


132  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

: 

brother  of  Melissa!  In  an  instant  they  \vere  in  each' 
other's  arms. 

Edgar  and  Alonzo  retired  to  a  separate  room. 
Edgar  informed  Alonzo  that  the  news  of  Melissa's 
death  reached  him,  by  a  letter  from  his  father,  while 
with  the  army;  that  he  immediately  procured  a  fur 
lough,  and  visited  his  father,  whom,  with  his  mother, 
he  found  inconsolable  distress.  The  letter  which 
my  uncle  had  written,  said  Edgar,  announcing  her 
death,  mentioned  with  what  patience  and  placidity 
she  endured  her  malady,  and  with  what  calmness 
and  resignation  she  met  the  approach  of  death.  Her 
last  moments,  like  her  whole  life,  were  unruffled  and 
serene.  She  is  in  heaven  Alonzo — she  is  an  angel'" 
-Swelling  grief  here  choaked  the  utterance  of  Ed 
gar;  for  some  time  he  could  proceed  no  farther,  and 
Alonzo,  with  bursting  bo?om,  mingled  his  tears. 

"  My  father,  resumed  Edgar,  bent  on  uniting  her 
to  Beaun  an  or  at  least  of  preventing  her  union  with 
you,  had  removed  her  to  a  desolate  family  mansion, 
and  placed  her  under  the  care  of  an  aunt.  At  that 
place,  he  cither  suspected,  or  really  discovered  that 
you  had  recourse  to  her  w  hile  my  aunt  was  absent 
on  business.  She  was  therefore  no  longer  entrusted 
to  the  care  of  her  aunt,  but  my  father  immediately 
formed  and  executed  the  plan  of  sending  her  to  his 
brother  in  South  Carolina,  under  pretence  of  restor 
ing  her  to  health  by  change  of  climate,  as  her  health 
in  reality  had  began  rapidly  to  decay.  There  it  was 
designed  that  Beauman  should  shortly  follow  her, 
with  recommendations  from  my  father  to  her  uncle, 
urging  him  to  use  all  possible  means  which  might 
tend  to  persuade  her  to  become  the  wile  of  Beau 
man.  But  change  of  climate  only  increased  the 
load  of  sorrows,  and  she  soon  sunk  beneath  them, 
The  letter  mentioned  nothing  of  her  troubles  :  po» 


ALOKZO    AND    MELISSA.  1S3 

sibly  my  uncle's   family  knew  nothing  of  them     to 
them,  probably, 

"  She  never  told  her  love, 

But  sat  like  Patience  on  a  monument 
Smiling  at  grief;  while  sad  concealment, 
Like  a  worm  in  the  bud, 
Fed  on  her  damask  cheek. 

"  My  father's  distress  was  excessive:  often  did  he 
accuse  himself  of  barbarity,  and  he  once  earnestly 
expressed  a  wish  that  he  had  consented  to  her  union 
with  you.  My  father,  I  know,  is  parsimonious,  but 
he  sincerely  loved  his  children.  Inflexible  as  is  his 
nature,  the  untimely  death  of  a  truly  affectionate 
and  only  daughter  will,  I  much  fear  precipitate  him, 
and  perhaps  my  mother  also,  to  a  speedy  grave. 

"As  soon  as  my  feelings  would  permit,  I  repaired 
to  your  father's,  and  made  enquiry  concerning  you. 
I  found  your  parents  content  in  their  humble  state, 
except  that  your  father  had  been  ill.  but  was  recov 
ering.  Of  you  they  ha-d  heard  nothing  since  your 
departure,  and  they  deeply  lamented  your  absence 
And  from  Vincent  I  could  obtain  no  farther  informa 
tion. 

"  Sick  of  the  world  I  returned  <o  the  army.  An 
American  consul  was  soon  to  sail  for  Holland: — I 
solicited  and  obtained  the  appointment  of  secretary. 
I  hoped  by  visiting  distant  countries,  in  some  measure 
to  relieve  my  mind  from  the  deep  melancholy  with 
which  it  was  oppressed.  We  were  to  proceed  first 
to  Paris,  where  we  have  been  a  few  days;  to-mor 
row  we  are  to  depart  for  Holland.  The  consul  is 
the  man  who  introduced  you  into  the  room  where 
you  found  me. 

"  Last  evening  I  lost  the  miniature  which  I  sup 
pose  you  to  have  four  1:  the  ch«in  to  which  it  was 


184  ALONZO    ANL    MELISSA. 

suspended  around  my  neck,  had  broken  while  I  w«i 
walking  the  street,  I  careful  y  wrapped  it  in  paper 
and  deposited  it  in  my  purse,  which  I  probably  drop 
ped  on  replacing  it  in  my  pocket,  and  did  not  dis 
cover  the  IOFS  until  this  morning.  I  immediately 
made  diligent  search,  but  not  finding  it,  I  put  up 
bills  of  advertisement.  The  likeness  was  taken  in 
my  sister's  happiest  days.  After  I  had  entered  upon 
nuy  professional  studies  in  New  York,  I  became  ac 
quainted  with  a  miniature  painter,  who  look  my 
likeness.  He  afterwards  went  into  the  country,  and 
as  I  found  he  was  to  pass  near  my  father's,  I  engag 
ed  him  to  call  there  and  take  my  sister's  likeness 
also.  We  exchanged  them  soon  after.  It  was  dear 
to  me,  even  while  the  original  remained;  but  since 
she  is  gone  it  has  become  a  most  precious  and  val 
uable  relique." 

All  the  tender  powers  of  Alonzo's  soul  were  call 
ed  into  action  by  Edgar's  recital.  The  "  days  of 
other  years."  The  ghosts  of  sepulchred  blessings, 
passed  in  painful  review.  Added  to  these  the  pen 
urious  condition  of  his  parent?,  his  father's  recent 
illness,  and  his  probable  inability  to  procure  the 
bread  of  his  family,  all  tended  more  deeply  to  sink 
his  spirits  in  the  gulf  of  melancholy  and  m  sery.  He 
however  informed  Edgar  of  all  that  had  happened 
since  they  parted  at  Vincent's — respecting  the  old 
mansion — Melissa's  extraordinary  disappearance 
therefiom,the  manner  in  v\hich  he  was  informed  of  her 
death,  his  departure  from  America,  capture,  escape, 
Beauman  s  death,  arrival  in  France,  and  his  finding 
the  miniature.  To  Edgar  as  well  as  Alonzo,  Me 
lissa's  sudflen  and  unaccountable  removal  from  the 
mansion  was  mysterious  and  inexplicable. 

As  Edgar  was  to  depart  early  the  next  morning, 
-hey  neither  slept  nor  separated  that  night. 


AL03VZO    AND    MELISSA.  135 

*  If  it  were  not  for  your  reluctance  to  revisit 
your  nathe  country,"  said  Edgar,  "•  I  should  urge 
you  to  accompany  me  to  Holland,  and  thence  re 
turn  with  me  to  America.  Necessity,  and  duty  re 
quire  that  I  should  not  be  long  absent,  as  my 
parents  want  my  assistance,  and  they  are  now  child 
less." 

"Suffer  me,"  answered  Alonzo,  "  to  bury  myself  in 
this  city  for  the  present:  should  I  ever  again  awake 
to  real  life,  I  will  seek  you  out  if  you  are  on  the 
earth; — but  now,  I  can  only  be  a  companion  to  my 
miseries." 

The  next  morning  as  they  were  about  to  depa-rt, 
Alonzo  took  Melissa's  miniature  from  his  bosom, 
contemplated  the  picture  a  few  moments  with  ardent 
emotion,  and  presented  it  to  Edgar.  "  Keep  it," 
said  Edgar,  "  it  is  thine.  I  bestow  it  upon  thee  as 
I  would  the  original,  had  not  death  become  the  rival 
of  thy  love,  and  my  affection.— Suffer  not  the  sacred 
symbol  too  tenderly  to  renew  your  sorrows.  Hovv 
swiftly,  Alonzo,  does  this  restless  life  fleet  away! — 
Hovv  soon  shall  we  pass  the  barriers  of  terrestrial 
existence! — let  us  live  worthy  of  ourselves,  of  our 
holy  religion,  of  Melissa — Melissa,  whom,  when  a 
"ew  more  suns  have  arisen  and  set,  we  shall  meet  in 
regions  where  all  tears  shall  be  eternally  wiped  frum 
every  eve." 

With  what  jnspeakable  sensibilities  was  it  return 
ed  to  Alonzo's  bosom!  Edgar  offered  Alonzo  pecun 
iary  assistance,  which  the  latter  refused:  *'  1  am 
in  business,"  said  he,  "  which  brings  me  a  decent 
support,  and  that  is  suificient."  They  agreed  to 
write  each  other  as  frequently  as  possible,  and  then 
affectionately  parted:  Edgar  sailed  for  Holland,  and 
Alonzo  returned  to  his  business  at  Mr.  Grafton's. 

Some  time  after  this   Alonzo  received  a   message 


136  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA- 

from  Dr.  Franklin,  requiring  his  attendance  at  hi* 
house,  which  summons  he  immediately  obeyed.  The 
doctor  introduced  him  into  his  study,  and  after  being 
seated,  he  earnestly  viewed  Alonzo  for  some  time, 
and  thus  addressed  him: 

*'  Young  man,  your  views,  your  resolutions,  and 
your  present  conduct,  are  totally  wrong.  Disap 
pointment,  you  say,  has  driven  you  from  your  native 
country.  Disappointment  in  what  ?  In  obtaining  the 
object  on  which  you  most  doated.  And  suppose  this 
object  had  been  obtained,  would  your  happiness 
have  been  complete  ?  Your  own  reason,  if  vou 
cooly  consult  it,  will  convince  you  of  the  contrary. 
Do  you  not  remember  when  an  infant,  how  you 
cried,  and  teamed  your  nurse,  or  your  parents,  for  a 
rattle,  or  some  gay  trinket  ? — Your  whole  soul  was 
fixed  upon  the  enchanting  bauble;  but  when  obtain 
ed,  you  soon  cast  it  away,  and  sighed  as  earnestly 
for  some  other  trifle,  some  new  toy.  Thus  it  is 
through  life;  the  fancied  value  of  an  object  ceases 
with  the  attainment;  it  becomes  familiar,  and  its 
charm  is  lost. 

"  Was  it  the  splendors  of  beauty  which  enraptur 
ed  you  ?  Sickness  may,  and  age  must  destroy  the 
symmetry  of  the  most  finished  form — the  brilliancy 
of  the  finest  features.  Was  it  the  graces  of  the 
.  mind  ?  I  tell  you,  that  by  familiarity,  these  allure 
ments  are  lost,  and  the  mind,  left  vacant,  turns  to 
some  other  source  to  supp'y  vacuum, 
\  "  Stripped  of  all  their  intrinsic  value,  how  poor, 
how  vain,  and  how  worthless,  are  those  things  we 
name  pleasures,  and  enjoyments! 

*'  Besides,  the  attainment  of  your  wishes  might 
have  been  the  death  of  your  hopes.  If  my  reason 
ing  is  correct,  the  ardency  of  your  passion  might 
have  closed  with  the  pursuit.  An  every  day  suit, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  137 

however  rich  and  costly  the  texture,  is  soon  worn 
thre?  dbare.  On  your  part,  indifference  would  con 
sequently  succeeJ;  on  the  part  of  your  partner,  dis- 
i^pointment,  jealousy,  and  disgust.  What  might 
';.io-.v  is  needless  for  me  to  name; — your  soul  must 
Vjdder  at  the  idea  of  conjugal  infidelity! 

"  But  admitting  the  most  favorable  consequences; 
irn  the  brightest  side  of  the  picture;  admitting  as 
nuch  happiness  as  the  connubial  state  will  allow: 
now  might  your  bosom  have  been  wounded  by  the 
sickness  and  death  of  your  children,  or  their  disorder- 
dorly  and  disobedient  conduct!  You  must  know 
also,  that  the  warmth  of  youthful  passion  must  soon 
(.•ease,  and  it  is  merely  a  hazardous  chance  whether 
friendship  will  supply  the  absence  of  affection. 

*'  After  all,  my  young  friend,  it  will  be  well  for 
you  to  consider,  whether  the  all-wise  dispensing 
hand  of  Providence,  has  not  directed  this  matter 
which  you  esteem  so  great  an  afKictio-n,  for  your 
greatest  good,  and  most  essential  advantage.  And 
suiler  me  to  tell  you,  that  in  all  my  observations  on 
life,  I  have  always  found  that  those  connections 
which  were  formed  from  inordinate  passion,  or  what 
some  would  call  pure  affection,  have  been  ever  the 
most  unhappy.  Exami^o  the  varied  circles  of  so 
ciety,  you  will  there  see  this  axiom  demonstrated 
you  will  there  see  how  few  among  the  sentimentally 
refined  are  even  apparently  at  ease;  while  thost,  in 
susceptible  of  what  you  name  tender  attachments, 
or  who  receive  them  only  as  things  of  course,  plod 
on  through  life,  without  even  experiencing  the  least 
inconvenience  from  a  want  of  the  pleasures  they  are 
supposed  to  bestow,  or  the  pains  they  sure  to  create. 
Beware,  then,  my  son,  beware  of  yielding  the  heart 
to  the  effeminacies  of  passion.  Exquisite  sensibili- 
tie«  are  evtr  subject  to  exquisite  inquietudes.  Coun- 


138  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

sel  with  correct  reason,  place  entire  dependence  on 
the  SUPREME,  and  the  triumph  of  fortitude  and  re 
signation  will  be  yours." 

Franklin  paused.  His  reasonings,  however  they 
convinced  the  understanding,  could  not  heal  the 
wounds  of  Alonzo's  bosom. — In  Melissa  he  looked 
(or  as  as  much  happiness  as  earth  could  afford,  noi 
could  he  see  any  prospect  in  life  which  could  repaii 
the  loss  he  had  sustained. 

"  You  have,"  resumed  the  philosopher,  "deserted 
an  indulgent  father,  a  fond  and  tender  mother,  who 
must  want  your  aid;  now,  perhaps,  unable  to  toil 
for  bread;  now,  possibly  laid  upon  the  bed  of  sick 
ness,  calling,  in  anguish  or  delirium,  for  the  filial 

hand  of  their  only  son  to  administer  relief." All 

the  parental    feelings   of  Alonzo    were    now    called 

into  poignant  action. "  You  have  left  a  country, 

bleeding  at  every  pore,  desolated  by  the  ravages  of 
war,  wrecked  by  the  thunders  of  battle,  her  heroes 
slain,  her  children  captured.  This  country  asks — 
she  demands — you  owe  her  your  services:  God  and 
nature  call  upon  you  to  defend  her,  while  here  you 
bury  yourself  in  inglorious  inactivity,  pining  for  a 
hapless  object,  which,  by  all  your  lamentations,  you 
can  never  bring  back  to  the  regions  of  mortality." 

This  aroused  the  patriotic  flame  in  the  bosom  of 
Alonzo,  and  he  voluntarily  exclaimed,  "  I  will  go  to 
the  relief  of  my  parents — I  will  fly  to  the  defence  ot 
my  country!" 

"  In  former  days,"  continued  Franklin,  "  I  was 
well  acquainted  wilh  your  father.  As  soon  as  you 
informed  me  of  his  failure,  I  wrote  to  my  correspon 
dent  in  England,  and  found,  as  I  expected,  that  he 
had  been  overreached  by  swindlers  and  sharpers. 

. The  pretended  failure    of  the    merchants  with 

whom  he  was  in  company,  was  all  a  sham,  as,  also 


ALONZO    AJVD    MELISSA.  139 

the  reported  loss  of  the  ships  in  their  employ.  The 
merchants  fled  to  England:  I  have  had  them  arrest 
ed,  and  they  have  given  up  their  effects  to  much 
more  than  the  amount  of  their  debts.  I  have  there 
fore  procured  a  reversion  of  your  father's  losses, 
which,  with  costs,  damages,  and  interests,  when 
legally  stated,  he  will  receive  of  my  agent  in  Phila 
delphia,  to  whom  I  shall  transmit  sufficient  docu 
ments  by  you,  and  I  shall  advance  you  a  sum  equal 
to  the  expenses  of  your  voyage,  which  will  he  liqui 
dated  by  the  said  agent.  A  ship  sails  in  a  few  days 
from  Havre,  for  Savannah  in  Georgia:  it  would,  in 
deed,  be  more  convenient  were  she  bound  to  some 
more  northern  port,  but  I  know  of  no  other  which 
wil!  sail  for  any  part  of  America  for  some  time.  In 
her  therefore  I  would  advise  you  to  take  passage:  it 
is  not  very  material  on  what  part  of  the  continent 
you  are  landed;  you  will  soon  reach  Philadelphia, 
transact  your  business,  restore  your  father  to  his 
property,  and  be  ready  to  serve  your  country." 

If  any  thing  could  have  given  Alonzo  consolation, 
it  must  have  been  this  noble,  generous  and  disinter 
ested  conduct  of  the  great  Franklin  in  favor  of  hig 
father,  by  which  his  family  were  restored  to  ease 
and  to  independence.  Ah!  had  this  but  happened 
in  time  to  save  a  life  far  dearer  than  his  own!  Tho 
reflection  was  too  painful.  The  idea,  however,  of 
giving  joy  to  his  aged  parents,  hastened  his  depart 
ure.  Furnished  with  proper  documents  and  creden 
tials  from  Franklin,  his  benefactor,  he  took  leave  of 
him,  with  the  warmest  expressions  of  gratitude,  as 
also  of  Mr.  Grafton,  and  sailed  for  Savannah,  where 
he  arrived  in  about  eight  weeks. 

Intent  on  his  purpose,  he  immediately  purchased 
a  carriage  and  proceeded  on  for  Philadelphia.  As 
he  approached  Charleston,  his  bosom  swelled  with 


140  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

mournful  recollections.  He  arrived  in  that  city  in 
the  aftornoon,  and  at  evening  he  walked  out,  and 
entered  a  little  ale  house,  which  stood  near  the  large 
burial  ground.  An  elderly  woman  and  two  small 
children  were  the  only  persons  in  the  house,  except 
himself.  After  calling  for  a  pint  of  ale,  he  enquired 

:>f  the  old  lady,  if  Col.  D ,  (Melissa's  uncle)  did 

not  live  near  the  city.  She  informed  him  that  he 
resided  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  where  he  had 
an  elegant  scat,  and  that  he  was  very  rich. 

"Was  there  not  a  young  lady,"  asked  Alonzo, 
**  who  died  there  about  eighteen  months  ago  ?" 

"  La  me!"  said  she,  "  did  you  l:no\v  her  ?  Yes  ; 
and  a  sweeter  or  more  handsome  lady  the  sun  never 
shined  on.  And  then  she  was  so  good,  so  patient 
in  her  sickness. — Poor,  dear  distressed  girl,  she  pined 
away  to  skin  and  bones  before  she  died.  She  was 

not  Col.  D 's  daughter,  only  somehow  related: 

she  came  here  in  hopes  that  a  change  of  air  might 
do  her  good.  She  came  from — la  me!  I  cannot 
think  of  the  name  of  the  place;  it  is  a  crabbed  name 
though.'" 

"Connecticut,  was  it  not  ?"  said  Alonzo. 

"  0  yes,  that  was  it,"  replied  she.  "  Dear  me! 
then  you  knew  her,  did  you,  sir? — Well,  we  have 
not  her  like  left  in  Charleston,  that  we  han't; — and 
then  there  was  such  ado  at  her  funeral;  five  hun 
dred  people,  I  dare  say,  with  eight  young  iadies  for 
pall-bearers,  all  dressed  in  white,  with  black  ribbons, 
and  all  the  bells  tolling." 

"  Where  we.s  she  buried  ?"  enquired  Alonzo. 

**  In  the  church-yard  right  before  our  door,"  she 
answered.  "  My  husband  is  the  sexton;  he  put  up 

ner  large  white  marble  tomb-stones; they  are 

.he  largest  and  whitest  in  the  whole  bury  ing-ground, 


A.LDNZO    AND    MELISSA.  141 

End  so,  indeed,  they  ought  to  be,  for  never  was  there 
a  person  who  deserved  them  more." 

Tired  with  the  old  woman's  garrulity,  and  with  a 
bosom  bursting  with  anguish,  Alonzo  paid  for  his  ale 
without  drinking  it,  bade  her  good  night  and  slowly 
proceeded  to  the  church-yard.  The  moon,  in  full 
lustre,  shone  with  solemn,  silvery  ray,  on  the  sacred 
piles,  and  funeral  monuments  of  the  sacred  dead 
the  wind  murmured  mournfully  among  the  weeping 
willows;  a  solitary  nightingale*  sang  plaintively  in 
the  distant  forest;  and  a  whippoorwill,  Melissa's  fa 
vorite  bird,  whistled  near  the  portico  of  the  church. 
The  large  white  tomb-stones  soon  caught  the  eye  of 
Alonzo.  He  approached  them  with  tremulous  step, 
and  with  feelings  too  agitated  for  description.  On 
the  head-stone  he  read  as  follows: 

SACRED 

To  the  Memory  of  inestimable  departed  Worth; 
To  unrivalled  Excellence  and  Virtue. 

MISS   MELISSA  D , 

Whose  remains  are  deposited  here,  and 
whose  ethereal  part  became  a  seraph, 

October  26,  1776. 

In  the  18th  year  of  her  age. 

Alonzo  bent,  kneeled,  he  prostrated   himself,  he 

clasped  the  green  turf  which  enclosed  her  grave,  ha 

watered  it  with   his  tears,   he   warmed   it   with    his 

sighs.     ««  Where  art  thou,  bright  beam  of  heavenly 

light!"  he  said.     "Come  to  my  troubled  soul,  blessed 

spirit!     Come,  holy  shade!  come   in    all  thy  native 

loveliness,  and  cheer  the  bosom  of  wretchedness  by 

thy  grief  dispersing  smile!     On  the  ray  of   yon  eve- 

*  This  bird,  though  not  an  inhabitant  of  the 
northern  states,  is  frequently  to  be  met  with  in 
Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 


142  AL.ONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

ning  star  descend.  One  moment  leave  the  celestial 
regions  of  glory — leave,  one  moment,  thy  sister  be 
atitudes,  aid  glide,  in  entrancing  beauty,  before  me! 
\vave,  benignly  wave,  thy  white  hand,  and  assuage 
the  anguish  of  despairing  sorrow!  Alas!  in  vain 
my  invocation!  A  curtain,  impenetrable,  is  drawn 
betwixt  me  arid  thee,  only  to  be  disclosed  by  the 
dissolution  of  nature." 

He  arose  and  walked  away:  suddenly  he  stopped. 
"Yet,"  said  he,  "  if  spirits  departed  lose  not  the 
power  of  recollection; — if  they  have  knowledge  of 
present  events  on  earth,  Melissa  cannot  have  for 
gotten  me — she  must  pity  me."  He  returned  to  the 
grave;  he  took  her  miniature  from  his  bosom;  he 
held  it  up,  and  earnestly  viewed  it  by  the  moon's 
pale  ray. 

"Ah,  Franklin!"  he  exclaimed,  "how  tenderly  does 
she  beam  her  lovely  eye  upon  rne!  How  often  have 
I  drank  delicious  ecsiacy  from  the  delicacy  of  those 
unrivalled  charms!  How  often  have  they  taught 
me  to  anticipate  superlative  and  uninterrupted  bliss! 
Mistaken  and  delusive  hope!  [returning  the  minia 
ture  to  his  bosom.']  Vain  and  presumptuous  assur 
ance.  Then  [pointing  to  the  grave]  there  behold 
how  my  dearest  wishes,  my  fondest  expectations  are 
realized! Hallowed  turf!  lie  lightly  on  her  bo 
som! — Sacred  willows!  sprinkle  the  dews  gently 
over  her  grave,  while  the  mourning  breezes  sigh 
sadly  amid  your  branches!  Here  may  the  <;  widow 
ed  wild  rose  love  to  bloom!"  Here  may  the  first 
placid  beams  of  morning  delight  to  linger;  from 
hence,  the  evening  ray  reluctantly  withdraw! — And 
when  the  final  trump  shall  renovate  and  arouse  the 
sleeping  saint; — when  on  "  buoyant  step"  she  soars 
to  glory,  nay  our  meeting  spirits  join  in  beatille 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  148 

transport!     May  my   enraptured  ear    catch  the  first 
holy  whispers  of  her  consecrated  lips." 

Alonzo  having  thus  poured  out  the  effusions  of  an 
overcharged  heart,  pensively  returned  to  the  inn, 
which  he  entered  and  seated  himself  in  the  common 
room,  in  deep  contemplation.  As  usual  at  public 
inns,  a  number  of  people  were  in  the  room,  among 
whom  were  several  officers  of  the  American  army 
Alonzo  was  too  deeply  absorbed  in  melancholy  re 
flection,  to  notice  passing  incidents,  until  a  young 
officer  came,  seated  himself  by  him,  and  entered 
mto  conversation  respecting  the  events  of  the  war. 
He  appeared  to  be  about  Alonzo's  age;  his  person 
was  interesting,  his  manners  sprightly,  his  observa 
tions  correct. — Alonzo  was,  in  some  degree,  aroused 
from  his  abstractedness; — the  manners  of  the  stran 
ger  pleased  him.  His  frankness,  his  ease,  his  under 
standing,  his  urbanity,  void  of  vanity,  or  sophistica 
tion,  sympathetically  caught  the  feelings  of  Alonzo, 
and  he  even  felt  a  sort  of  solemn  regret  when  the 
stranger  departed.  He  soon  retired  to  bed,  deter 
mining  to  proceed  early  the  next  morning. 

He  arose  about  daylight;  the  horizon  was  over 
cast,  and  it  had  begun  to  rain,  which  before  sun 
rise  had  increased  to  a  violent  storm.  He  found 
therefore  that  he  must  content  himself  to  stay  until 
it  was  over,  which  did  not  happen  till  near  nigrt 
and  too  late  to  pursue  his  journey.  He  was  inform 
ed  by  the  inn-keeper,  that  the  theatre,  which  had 
been  closed  since  the  commencement  of  the  war, 
was  to  be  opened  that  night  only,  with  the  tragedy 
of  Gustavus,  and  close  with  a  representation  of 
Burgoyne's  capture,  and  some  other  recent  events  of 
the  American  war.  To  "  wing  the  hours  with 
•wifter  speed,"  Alonzo  determined  to  go  to  the 
theatre,and  at  the  hour  appointed  he  repaired  thither 


144  AJ^ONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

As  ho  was  proceeding  to  take  his  seat,  he  passed 
tUe  box  where  sat  the  young  officer,  whose  manners 
had  so  prepossessed  him  the  preceding  evening  at 
the  inn.  He  immediately  arose:  they  exchanged 
salutations,  and  Alonzo  walked  on  and  took  his  seat. 
The  evening  was  warm,  and  the  house  exceedingly 
crowded.  After  the  tragedy  was  through,  and  be 
fore  the  afterpiece  commenced,  the  young  officer 
cam*"  lo  Alonzo's  box,  and  made  some  remarks  on 
tne  merit  of  the  actors.  While  they  were  discours 
ing,  a  bustle  took  place  in  one  part  of  the  house, 
and  several  people  gathered  around  a  box,  at  a  little 
distance  from  them.  The  officer  turned,  left  Alonzo, 
and  hastened  to  the  place.  To  the  general  inquiry, 
*'  what's  the  matter  ?"  it  was  answered,  that  "& 
lady  had  fainted."  She  was  led  out,  and  the  tumult 
subsided. 

As  soon  as  the  after-piece  was  closed,  Alonzo  re 
turned  to  the  inn.  As  he  passed  along  he  cast  his 
eyes  toward  the  church-yard,  where  laid  the  "  with- 
er'd  blessings  of  his  richest  joys."  Affection,  pas 
sion,  inclination,  urged  him  to  go  and  breathe  a 
farewell  sigh,  to  drop  a  final  tear  over  the  grave  of 
Melissa.  Discretion,  reason,  wisdom  forbade  it — 
forbade  that  he  re-pierce  the  ten  thousand  wounds 
of  his  bosom,  by  the  acute  revival  of  unavailing 
sorrows,  he  hurried  to  his  chamber. 

As  he  prepared  to  retire  to  rest,  he  saw  a  book 
lying  on  the  table  near  his  bed.  On  taking  it  up  he 
found  it  to  be  Young' 's  Night  Thoughts,  a  book 
which,  in  happier  days,  had  been  the  solace  of  many 
a  gloomy,  many  a  lucid  hour.  He  took  it  up  and 
the  first  lines  he  cast  his  eyes  upon  were  the  follow* 
ing: 

"  Song,  beauty,  love,  virtue,  joy:  this  group 

Of  bright  ideas — flowers  of  Paradise, 


ALOXZO    AND    MEMSS  i.  145 

As  yet  a  forfeit!  in  one  blaze  we  bind. 

Kneel,  and  present  it  to  the  skies;  as  all 

We  guess  of  heaven!  And  these  were  all  her  own. 
And  she  was  mine,  and  I  was — was  most  blest 
—Like  blossom'd  trees,  o'erturned  bv  vernal  storm, 

Lovely  in  death  the  beauteous  ruin  lav — 

Ye  that  e'er  lost  an  angel,  pity  me." 

His  tears  fell  fast  upon  the  book'.  He  replaced  it 
and  flung  himself  into  bed.  Sleep  was  far  from  him; 
he  closed  not  his  eyes  till  the  portals  of  light  were 
unbarred  in  the  east,  when  he  fell  into  interrupted 
clumbers. 

When  he  awoke,  the  morning  was  considerably 
advanced.  He  arose.  One  consolation  was  yet  left 
— to  see  his  parents  happy.  He  went  down  to  order 
his  carriage;  his  favorite  stranger,  the  young  officer, 
was  in  waiting,  and  requested  a  private  interview. 
They  immediately  retired  to  a  separate  room,  when 
tho  stranger  thus  addressed  Alonzo: 

"  From  our  short  acquaintance,  you  may  sir,  con 
sider  it  singular  that  I  should  attempt  to  scrutinize 
your  private  concerns,  and  more  extraordinary  you 
may  esteem  it,  when  I  inform  you  of  my  reasons  for 
so  doing.  Judging,  however,  from  appearances,  I 
have  no  doubt  of  your  candor.  If  my  questions 
should  be  deemed  improper,  you  will  tell  me  so." 

Alonzo  assured  him  he  would  treat  him  candidly. 
•*  This  I  believe,"  said  the  young  officer;  "  I  take 
the  liberty  therefore  to  ask  if  you  are  an  American?" 

"  I  am,"  answered  Alonzo.  "  I  presume," 

said  the  stranger — "  the  question  is  a  delicate  one — 
I  presume  your  family  is  respectable  ?"  "  Sacredly 
BO,"  replied  Alonzo.  "  Are  you  married,  sir  ?"  **  I 
am  not,  and  have  ever  been  single."  *'  Have  you 
any  prospects  of  connecting  in  marriage?"  «*  I 


146  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

have  not,  sir."  "  I  may  then  safely  proceed,"  paid 
the  stranger;  "  I  trust  you  will  hear  me  attentively; 
you  will  judge  maturely;  you  will  decide  correctly, 
and  I  am  confident  that  you  will  answer  me  sin 
cerely. 

"  A  young  lady  of  this  city,  with  whom  I  am  [I 
well  acquainted,  and  to  whom,  indeed,  I  am  distant 
ly  related,  whose  father  is  affuent,  whose  connec 
tions  are  eminently  respectable,  whose  manners  are 
engaging1,  whose  mind  is  virtue,  whose  elegance  ot 
form  and  personal  beauty  defy  competition,  is  the 
cause,  sir,  of  this  mission. — Early  introduced  into 
the  higher  walks  of  life,  she  has  passed  the  rounds 
of  fashionable  company;  numberless  suitors  sighed 
for  her  hand,  whom  she  complaisantlv  dismissed 
without  disobliging,  as  her  heart  had  not  yet  been 
touched  by  the  tender  passion  of  love.  Surprising 
as  it  may,  however,  seem,  it  is  now  about  six  months 
since  she  saw  in  her  dream  the  youth  who  possessed 
the  power  to  inspire  her  with  this  passion.  In  her 
dream  she  saw  a  young  gentleman  whose  interesting 
manners  and  appearance,  impressed  her  so  deeply 
that  she  found  she  must  be  unhappy  without  him. 
She  thought  it  was  in  a  mixed  company  she  saw 
him,  but  that  she  could  not  get  an  opportunity  to 
speak  to  him.  It  seemed  that  if  she  could  but  speak 
to  him,  all  difficulties  would  at  once  be  removed. — 
At  length  he  approached  her,  and  just  as  he  was  a- 
bout  to  address  her,  she  awoke. 

"  This  extraordinary  dream  she  had  communica 
ted  to  several  of  her  acquaintance. — Confident  that 
she  should  some  time  or  other  behold  the  real  per 
son  whose  semblance  she  had  seen  in  her  dream, 
she  has  never  since  been  perfectly  at,  ease  in  her 
mind.  Her  father  who  has  but  two  children,  ono 
bceidu  herauJf,  being  dotiagly  fond  of  her,  has  proui* 


*    »  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  147 

ised  that  if  ever  she  meets  this  unknown  stranger, 
he  will  not  oppose  their  union,  provided  he  is  re 
spectable,  and  that,  if  worthy  of  her  hand  he  will 
make  him  independent. 

On  my  return  from  the  inn  the  evening  I  first  saw 
you,  I  told  my  sister — I  beg  pardon,  sir — I  was 
wandering  from  my  subject — after  I  first  met  you  at 
the  inn,  I  fell  in  company  with  the  lady,  and  in  a 
rallying  way  told  her  that  I  had  seen  her  nivisible 
beau,  as  wo  used  to  call  the  gentleman  of  the  dream. 
I  superficially  described  your  person  and  descanted 
a  little  on  the  embellishments  of  your  mind.  She 
listened  with  some  curiosity  and  attention;  but  I 
had  so  often  jested  with  her  in  this  manner,  that  she 
thought  little  of  it.  At  the  play  last  night,  I  had 
just  been  speaking  to  her  when  I  came  to  your  box; 
her  eyes  f  >llowcd  me,  but  no  sooner  had  they  rested 
on  you,  than  she  fainted!  This  was  the  cause  ot 
my  leaving  you  so  abruptly,  and  not  returning.  We 
conveyed  her  home,  when  she  informed  me  that  you 
was  the  person  she  had  seen  in  her  dream! 

"  To  me  only,  she  preferred  disclosing  the  cir 
cumstance  at  present,  for  reasons  which  must  be 
obvious  to  your  understanding. — Even  her  father 
and  mother  are  not  informed  of  it,  and  should  my 
mission  prove  unsuccessful,  none  except  you,  sir,  she 
and  myself,  I  hope  and  trust,  will  ever  know  any 
thing  of  the  matter. 

'*  Now,  sir,  it  is  necessary  farther  to  explain.  As 
sinrular  as  the  circumstances  which  I  have  related 
may  appear  to  you,  to  me  they  uiust  appear  as 
strange.  One  valuable  purpose  is,  however,  answer 
ed  thereby;  it  will  exclude  the  imputation  of  capri- 
ciousness — the  freakish  whim  of  love  at  first  sight, 
which  exists  only  in  novels  and  romances.  You,  sir, 
are  young,  unmarried,  unaffianced,  your  affections 


148  ALOIV/O    AND    MELISSA. 

free:  such  is  the  condition  of  the  lad*  3he  inquires 
not  into  the  state  of  your  property .  .sfte  asks  not 
riches  : — if  she  obtains  the  object  of  her  choice,  on 
him,  as  1  have  told  you,  will  her  father  bestow  af 
fluence. Whatever,  sir,  may  be  your  preten 
sions  to  eminence,  and  they  may  be  many,  the  lady 
is  not  your  inferior.  Her  education  also  is  such  aa 
would  do  honor  to  a  gentleman  of  taste. 

*«  I  will  not  extend  my  remarks;  you  perfectly 
understand  me — what  answer  shall  I  return?" 

Alonzo  sighed:  for  a  few  moments  he  was  silent. 

**  Perhaps,  said  the  stranger,  you  may  consider 
the  mode  of  this  message  as  bearing  the  appear 
ance  of  indecorum.  If  so,  I  presume,  on  reviewing 
the  incidents  which  to — which  enforced  it,  as  the 
most  safe,  the  only  means  of  sure  communication, 
you  will  change  your  opinion.  Probably  you  would 
not  wish  finally  to  decide  until  you  have  visited  the 
lady.  This  was  my  expectation,  and  I  am,  therefore, 
ready  to  introduce  you  to  her  presence." 

"  No,  sir,"  said  Alonzo,  "  so  far  from  considering 
the  message  indecorous,  I  esteem  it  a  peculiar  honor, 
both  as  respects  the  lady  and  yourself.  Nor  is  it 
necessary  that  I  should  visit  the  lady,  to  confirm  the 
truth  of  what  you  have  related.  You  will  not,  sir, 
receive  it  as  an  adulatory  compliment,  when  I  say, 
that  although  our  acquaintance  is  short,  yet  my  con 
fidence  in  your  integrity  is  such  as  to  require  no  cor 
roborating  facts  to  establish  your  declaration.  But, 
sir,  there  are  obstacles — insuperable  obstacles,  to 
the  execution  of  the  measures  you  would  propose. 

«*  Your  frankness  to  me,  demands,  on  my  part, 
equal  candor.  I  assured  you  that  I  was  unmarried, 
and  had  no  prospect  of  entering  into  matrimonial 
engagements;  this  is  indeed  the  fact:  but  it  is  also 
true  that  my  affections — my  first,  my  earliest  aifeo 


ALOXZO  AND  MELISSA.  149 

lions  were  engaged,  unaiienably  engaged,  to  an  ob 
ject  which  is  now  no  more.     Perhaps   you  may    es 
teem  it  sirjgular;  perhaps  you  will  consider  it  enthu 
siasm;    but,  sir,  it  is  impossible  that  my  heart  should 
admit  a  second  and  similar  impression.*' 

The  stranger  paused.  "  Recent  disappointments 
of  this  nature,"  he  replied,  *'  commonly  leave  the 
mind  under  such  gloomy  influences.  Time,  how 
ever,  the  soother  of  severest  woes,  will,  though 
slowly,  yet  surely,  disperse  the  clouds  of  anguish, 
and  the  rays  of  comfort  and  consolation  will  beam 
upon  the  soul.  I  wish  not  to  be  considered  impor 
tunate,  but  the  day  may  arrive  when  you  may  change 
your  present  determination,  and  then  will  you  not 
regret  that  you  refused  so  advantageous  an  over 
ture  >" 

"  That  day  will  never  arrive,  sir,"'  '  answered 
Alonzo:  "  I  have  had  time  for  deliberate  reflection 
since  the  melancholy  event  took  place.  I  have  ex 
perienced  a  sufficient  change  of  objects  and  country; 
the  effect  is  the  same.  The  wound  is  still  recent, 
and  so  it  will  ever  remain:  indeed  I  cannot  wish  it 
otherwise.  There  is  a  rich  and  sacred  solemnity  in 
my  sorrows,  sir,  which  I  would  not  exchange  for  the 
most  splendid  acquirements  of  wealth,  or  the  most 
dignified  titles  of  fame." 

The  young  officer  sat  for  some  time  silent.  "  Well 
sir,"  he  said,  "  since  it  is  thus,  seeing  that  these 
things  are  so,  I  will  urge  you  no  farther.  You  will 
pardon  me  respecting  the  part  I  have  taken  in  this 
business,  since  it  was  with  the  purest  designs.  May 
consolation,  comfort,  and  happiness,  yet  be  yours." 

"To  you  and  your  fair  friend,"  said  Alonzo,  "  I 
consider  myself  under  the  highest  obligations.  The 
gratitude  I  .'eel,  I  car,  but  feebly  express.  Believe  me 


150  ALOJTZO    AND    MELISSA. 

sir,  when  1  tell  you,  (and  it  is  all  I  can  say,)  that 
your  ingenuous  conduct  has  left  impressions  in  my 
bosom  which  can  never  be  obliterated." 

The  stranger  held  out  his  hand,  which  Alonzo 
ardently  grasped.  They  were  silent,  but  their  eyes 
spoke  sympathy,  and  they  parted. 

Alonzo  immediately  prepared,  and  was  soon  ready 
to  depart.  As  he  was  stepping  into  l.is  carriage,  he 
saw  the  young  officer  returning.  As  he  came  up, 
11  I  must  detain  you  a  few  moments  longer,"  he  said, 
'*  and  I  will  give  you  no  farther  trouble.  You  vvilf 
recollect  that  the  lady  about  whom  I  have  so  much 
teazed  you,  when  she  became  acquainted  with  you 
in  her  dream,  believed  that  if  she  could  speak  with 
you,  all  difficulties  would  be  removed.  Conscious 
that  this  may  be  the  case,  (for  with  all  her  accom 
plishments  she  is  a  little  superstitious,)  she  desires 
to  see  you.  You  have  nothing  to  fear,  sir;  she 
would  not  for  the  world  yield  you  her  hand,  unless 
in  return  you  could  give  her  your  heart.  Nor  was 
she  willing  you  should  know  that  she  made  tin's  re 
quest,  but  wished  me  to  introduce  you,  as  it  were  by 
stratagem.  Confident,  however,  that  you  would 
thus  far  yield  to  the  caprice  of  a  lady,  I  chose  to 
tell  you  the  truth.  She  resides  near  by,  and  it  will 
not  hinder  you  long." 

**  It  is  capriciousness  in  the  extreme,"  thought 
Alonzo;  but  he  told  the  stranger  he  would  accom 
pany  him — who  immediately  stepped  into  the  car 
riage,  and  they  drove,  by  his  direction,  to  an  elegant 
house  in  a  street  at  a  little  distance,  and  alighted. 
As  they  entered  the  house,  a  servant,  handed  tho 
stranger  a  note,  which  he  hastily  looked  over:  "Tell 
the  gentleman  I  will  wait  on  him  in  a  moment," 
paid  he  to  the  servant,  who  instantly  withdrew. 
Turning  to  Alonzo,  "  a  person  is  in  waiting,"  said 


A.LONZO    AND    MELISSA..  151 

he,  "  on  urgent  business;  excuse  me,  therefore,  if  it 
is  with  reluctance;  I  retire  a  few  moments,  after  I 
have  announced  you;  I  will  soon  again  be  with 
you." 

They  then  ascended  a  flight  of  stairs:  the  stran 
ger  opened  the  door  of  a  chamber — "  The  gentle 
man  I  mentioned  to  vou,  madam,"  he  said.  Alonzo 
entered;  the  stranger  closed  the  door  and  retired. 
The  lady  was  sitting  by  a  window  at  the  lower  end 
jf  the  room,  but  arose  as  Alonzo  was  announced. 
She  was  dressed  in  sky-blue  silk,  embroidered  with 
spangled  lace;  a  gemmed  tiara  gathered  her  hair, 
from  which  was  suspended  a  green  veil,  according  to 
the  mode  of  those  times;  a  silken  girdle,  with  dia 
mond  clasps,  surrounded  her  waist,  and  a  brilliant 
sparkled  upon  her  bosom.  The  stranger's  de 
scription  was  not  exaggerated,  thought  Alonzo;  for, 
except  one,I  have  never  seen  a  more  elegant  figure: 
and  he  almost  wished  the  veil  removed,  that  he 
might  behold  her  features. 

"  You  will  please  to  be  seated,  sir,"  she  said,  "I 
know  not  how — I  feel  an  inconceivable  diffidence  in 
making  an  excuse  for  the  inconveniences  rny  silly 
caprices  have  given  you." 

Enchanting  melody  was  in  her  voice!  Alonzo 
knew  not  why,  but  it  thrilled  his  bosom,  electrified 
his  soul,  and  vibrated  every  nerve  of  his  heart.  Con 
fused  and  hurried  sensations,  melancholy,  yet  pleas- 
.ng;  transporting  as  the  recurrence  of  youthful  joys, 
enrapturing  as  dreams  of  early  childhood,  passed  in 
rapid  succession  over  his  imagination! 

She  advanced  towards   him  and  turned    aside  her          1 
veil.     Her   eyes  were    suffused,  and  tears   streamed 
down  her  cheeks, — Alonzo  started — his  whole  frame 
shook — be  gasped  for  breath! — **  Melissa!"  he  con- 


152  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

vulsively  exclaimed, — God   of  infinite  wonders,  it  is 
Melissa!" 

Again  will  the  incidents  of  our  history  produce  a 
pause.  Our  sentimental  readers  will  experience  a 
recurrence  of  sympathetic  sensibilities,  and  will  at 
tend  more  eagerly  to  the  final  scene  of  our  drama. 

"  Melissa  alive!"  may  they  say — "  impossible  ! 

Did  not  Alonzo  see  her  death  in  the  public  prints  ? 
Did  not  her  cousin  at  New  London  inform  him  of 
the  circumstances,  and  was  he  not  in  mourning  ? 
Did  not  the  dying  Beauman  confirm  the  melancholy 
fact  ?  And  was  not  the  unquestionable  testimony 
of  her  brother  Edgar  sufficient  to  seal  the  truth  of 
all  this  ?  Did  not  the  sexton's  wife  who  knew  not 
Alonzo  corroborate  it  ?  And  did  not  Alonzo  finally 
read  her  name,  her  age,  and  the  time  of  her  death, 
on  her  tomb-stone,  which  exactly  accorded  with  the 
publication  of  her  death  in  the  papers,  and  his  own 
knowledge  of  her  age  ?  And  is  not  this  sufficient 
to  prove,  clearly  and  incontestibly  prove,  that  she  ia 
dead  ?  And  yet  here  she  is  again,  in  e.ll  her  primi 
tive  beauty  and  splendor!  No,  this  surely  can  never 
be.  However  the  author  may  succeed  in  his  de 
scription,  in  painting  reanimated  nature,  he  is  no 
magician,  or  if  he  is,  he  cannot  raise  the  dead. 
f-  "  Melissa  has  long  since  mouldered  into  dust,  and 
he  has  raised  up  some  female  Martin  Guerre,  or 
Thomas  Hoag — some  person,  from  whose  near  re 
semblance  to  the  deceased,  he  thinks  to  impose  up 
on  us  and  upon  Alonzo  also,  for  Melissa.  But  it 
will  not  do;  it  must  be  the  identical  Melissa  herself, 
or  it  might  as  well  be  her  likeness  in  a  marble  statue. 
What!  can  Alonzo  realize  the  delicacies,  the  tender 
ness,  the  blandishments  of  Melissa  in  another  ?  Can 
her  substitute  point  him  to  the  rock  on  New  London 
k  tjaeh,  the  bower  of  her  favorite  hill,  or  so  feelingly 


ALONZO    AND    MELI4SA.  15S 

describe  the  charms  of  nature  ?  Can  he,  indeed, 
find  in  her  representative  those  alluring  graces,  that 
pensive  sweetness,  those  unrivalled  virtues  and 
matchless  worth  which  he  found  in  Melissa,  and 
which  attracted,  fixed  and  secured  the  youngest  af 
fections  of  his  soul  ?  Impossible! Or  could  the 

author  even  make  it  out  that  Alonzo  was  deceived 
by  a  person  so  nearly  resembling  Melissa  that  he 
could  not  distinguish  the  difference,  yet  to  his  read 
ers  he  must  unveil  the  deception,  and,  of  course,  the 
story  will  end  in  disappointment;  it  will  leave  an  un 
pleasant  and  disagreeable  impression  on  the  mind  of 
the  reader,  which  in  novel  writing  is  certainly  wrong. 
It  is  proved,  as  clearly  as  facts  can  prove,  that 
he  has  suffered  Melissa  to  die;  and  since  she  is 
dead,  it  is  totally  beyond  his  power  to  bring  her  to 

life and  so  his  history  is  intrinsically  good  for 

nothing." 

Be  not  quite  so  hasty,  my  zealous  censor.  Did 
we  not  tell  you  that  we  were  detailing  facts  ?  Shall 
we  disguise  or  discolor  truth  to  please  your  taste  ? 
Have  we  not  told  you  that  disappointments  are  the 
lot  of  life  ?  Have  we  not,  according  to  the  advice 
of  the  moralist,  led  Alonzo  to  the  temple  of  philoso 
phy,  the  shrine  of  reason,  and  the  sanctuary  of  re 
ligion  ?  If  all  these  fail — if  in  these  Alonzo  cannot 
find  a  balsam  sufficient  to  heal  his  wounded  bosom; 
then  if.  in  despite  of  graves  and  tomb-stones,  Me 
lissa  will  come  to  his  relief will  pour  the  balm  of 

consolation  over  his  anguished  soul,  cynical  critic, 
can  the  author  help  it  ? 

It  was  indeed  Melissa,  the  identical  Melissa,  whom 
Alonzo  ascended  a  tree  to  catch  a  last  glimpse  of,  as 
she  walked  up  the  avenue  to  the  old  mansion,  after 
they  had  parted  at  the  draw-bridge,  on  the  morning 
of  the  day  when  she  was  so  mysteriously  removed. 


154  ALCNZO    AN1>    MEi,ISSA. 

«  Melissa!" "  Alonzo!" were  all  they 

could  articulate:  and  frown  not,  my  fair  readers,  if 
we  tell  you  that  she  was  instantly  in  his  arms,  while 
he  pressed  his  ardent  lips  to  her  glowing  cheek. 

Sneer  not,  ye  callous  hearted  insensibles,  ye  fas 
tidious  prudes,  if  we  inform  you  that  their  tears  fell 
in  one  intermingling  shower,  that  their  sighs  wafted 
in  one  blended  breeze. 

The  sudden  opening  of  the  door,  aroused  them  to 
a  sense  of  their  improper  situation;  for  who  but 
must  consider  it  improper  to  find  a  young  lady  lock 
ed  in  the  arms  of  a  gentleman  to  whom  she  had 
just  been  introduced  ?  The  opening  of  the  door, 
therefore,  caused  them  quickly  to  change  their  po 
sition:  not  so  hastily,  however,  but  that  the  young 
officer  who  then  entered  the  room  had  a  glimpse  of 

their  situation. "  Aha!"  said  he,  "  have  I  caught 

you  ?  Is  my  philosophic  Plato  so  soon  metamor 
phosed  to  a  bon  ton  enamarato  ?  But  a  few  hours 
ago,  sir,  and  you  were  proof  against  the  whole 
arena  of  beauty,  and  all  the  artillery  of  the  graces; 
but  no  sooner  are  you  for  one  moment  tetc  a  tete 
with  a  fashionable  belle,  than  your  heroism  and  your 
resolutions  are  vanquished,  your  former  ties  dissolved 
and  your  deceased  charmer  totally  forgotten  or  neg 
lected,  by  the  virtue  of  a  single  glance.  Well,  so 
it.  is:  Jlmor  vincit  omnia  is  my  motlo;  to  thee  all 
conquering  beauty,  our  firmest  determinations  must 
bow.  I  cannot  censure  you  for  discovering,  though 
late,  that  one  living  object  is  really  of  roore  intrinsic 
value  than  two  dead  ones.  Indeed,  sir,  I  cannot  but 
applaud  your  determination." 

"  The  laws  of  honor,"  said  Alonzo,  "  smiling, 
compel  me  to  submit  to  become  the  subject  of  your 
raillery  and  deception;  I  am  in  your  power." 

"  I  acknowledge,"  said  the  officer,  *'•  that  I  hav« 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  155 

a  little  deceived  you,  my  story  was  fiction  founded 
on  truth — the  novel  style:  hut  for  the  deceptive  part, 
you  may  thank  your  little  gipsey  of  a  nymph  there, 
pointing  to  Melissa;  she  planned  and  I  executed." 

"  How  ready  you  gentlemen  are,"  replied  Melissa, 
"  when  accused  of  impropriety  to  cast  the  blame  on 
the  defenceless!  So  it  was  with  our  first  parents, 
and  so  it  is  still.  But  you  must  remember  that  A 
lonzo  is  yet  to  hear  my  story;  there,  sir,  I  have  the 
advantage  of  you." 

"  Then  I  confess,"  said  he,  looking  at  Alonzo, 
"  you  will  be  too  hard  (or  me,  and  so  I  will  say  no 
more  about  it." 

Melissa  then  introduced  the  young  officer  to  A 
lonzo,  by  the  appellation  of  Capt.  Wilmot.  "  He  is 
the  son  of  my  deceased  uncle,"  said  she,  "  a  cousin 
to  whom  I  am  much  indebted,  as  you  shall  hereafter 
know." 

A  coach  drove  up  to' the  door,  which  Melissa  in 
formed  Alonzo  was  her  uncle's  and  was  sent  to  con 
vey  Alfred  and  her  home.  "  You  will  have  no  ob 
jection  to  breakfast  with  me  at  my  uncle's,"  said 
Alfred,  "  if  it  be  only  to  keep  our  cousin  Melissa  in 
countenance." 

Alonzo  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  the  invitation 
They  immediately  therefore  entered  the  coach,  a 
servant  took  care  of  Alonzo's  carriage,  and  they 
drove  to  the  seat  of  Col.  D ,  who,  with  his  fam 
ily,  received  Alonzo  with  much  friendship  and  po 
liteness.  Alfred  had  apprized  them  of  Alonzo's 
arrival  in  town,  and  of  course  he  was  expected. 

Col.  D was  about  fifty  years  old,  his  manners 

were  majestically  grave  and  commanding,  yet  pol 
ished  and  polite.  His  family  consisted  of  an  amiable 
wife  considerably  younger  than  himself,  and  three 
children  j  the  eldest  son,  about  ten  years  rf  age,  and 


156  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

two  daughters,  one  seven,  the  other  four  years  old. 
Harmony  and  cheerfulness  reigned  in  his  family, 
which  diffused  tranquility  and  ease  to  its  members 
and  its  guests. 

It  was  agreed  that  Alonzo  should  pass  a  few  days 
at  the  house  of  Melissa's  uncle  when  Melissa  Vvas 
to  accompany  him  to  Connecticut.  Alfred,  with 
some  other  officers,  was  recruiting  for  the  army, 
where  his  regiment  then  lay,  and  which  he  was 
shortly  to  join.  He  could  not,  therefore,  be  con 
stantly  at  his  uncle's,  though  he  was  principally 
there  while  Alonzo  staid:  but  being  absent  the  day 
after  his  arrival,  Melissa  and  Alonzo  having  retired  to 
a  room  separate  from  the  family,  she  gave  him  the 
following  account  of  what  happened  after  they  had 
parted  at  the  old  mansion. 

"The  morning  after  you  left  me,"  she  said,  "John 
came  to  the  bridge  and  called  to  be  let  in: — 1  im 
mediately  went  to  the  gate,  opened  it,  and  letdown 
the  bridge.  John  informed  me  that  my  aunt  had 
suddenly  and  unexpectedly  arrived  that  morning  in 
company  with  a  strange  gentleman,  and  that  he  had 
come  for  the  keys,  as  my  aunt  was  to  visit  the  man 
sion  that  day.  I  strove  to  persuade  John  to  leave 
the  keys  in  my  possession,  and  that  I  would  make 
all  easy  with  my  aunt  when  she  arrived.  This,  though 
with  much  reluctance,  he  at  length  consented  to, 
and  departed.  Soon  after  this  my  aunt  came,  and 
without  much  ceremony  demanded  the  keys,  insinu 
ating  that  I  had  obtained  them  from  John  by  impo 
sition,  and  for  the  basest  purposes.  This  aroused 
me  to  indignation,  and  I  answered  by  informing  her 
that  whatever  purposes  the  persecution  and  cruelty 
of  my  family  had  compelled  me  to  adopt,  "my  con* 
science,under  present  circumstances  approved  them, 
and  I  refused  to  give  her  the  keys.  She  then  order 


ALONZO    AND    MEL.ISSA.  157 

cd  me  to  prepare  to  leave  the  mansion,  and  accom 
pany  her  to  her  residence  at  the  house  of  John.  1 
told  her  that  I  had  been  placed  there  by  my  father, 
and  should  not  consent  to  a  removal  unless  by  his 
express  orders.  She  then  left  me,  intimating  that 
she  would  soon  let  me  know  that  her  authority  \vaa 
not  to  be  thus  trampled  upon  with  impunity. 

"  I  immediately  raised  the  bridge,  and  made  fast 
the  gate,  determining,  on  no  consideration?,  to  suf 
fer  it  to  be  opened  until  evening.  The  day  passed 
away  without  any  occurrence  worthy  of  note,  and 
as  soon  as  it  was  da"rk,  I  went,  opened  the  gate,  and 
cautiously  let  down  the  bridge.  I  then  returned  to 
the  mansion,  and  placed  the  candle,  as  we  had  con 
certed,  at  the  window.  Shortly  after  I  heard  a  car 
riage  roll  over  the  bridge  and  proceed  up  the  ave 
nue. — My  heart  fluttered;  I  wished — I  hardly  knew 
what  I  did  wish;  but  I  feared  I  was  about  to  act  im 
properly,  as  I  had  no  other  idea  but  that  it  was  you, 
Alonzo,  who  was  approaching.  The  carriage  stop 
ped  near  the  door  of  the  mansion;  a  footstep  ascen 
ded  the  stairs.  Judge  of  my  surprise  and  agitation, 
when  my  father  entered  the  chamber!  A  maid  and 
two  men  servants  followed  him.  He  directed  me  to 
make  immediate  preparations  for  leaving  the  man 
sion — which  command,  with  the  assistance  of  the 
servants,  I  obeyed  with  a  heart  too  full  for  utterance. 

"  As  soon  as  I  was  ready,  we  entered  the  carriage 
which  drove  rapidly  away.  As  we  passed  out  of  the 
gate,  I  looked  back  to  the  mansion,  and  saw  the 
light  of  the  candle  which  I  had  forgotten  to  re 
move,  streaming  from  the  window  and  it  was  by  an 
extraordinary  effort  that  I  prevented  myself  from 
fainting. 

**  The  carriage  drove,  as  near  as  I  could  judge, 
about  ten  miles,  when  we  stopped  at  aa  inn  for  th« 


158  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

night,  except  my  lather,  who  returned  home  on 
horseback,  leaving  me  at  the  inn  in  company  with 
the  servants,  where  the  carriage  also  remained.  The 
maid  was  a  person  who  had  been  attached  to  me 
from  my  infancy.  I  asked  her  whether  she  could 
explain  these  mysterious  proceedings. 

**  All  I  know,  Miss  I  will  tell  you,"  said  she. 
'Your  father  received  a  letter  to-day  from  your  aunt, 
which  put  him  in  a  terrible  fluiter:  he  immediately 
ordered  1  is  carriage  and  directed  us  to  attend  him. 
He  met  your  aunt  at  a  tavern  somewhere  away  back 
and  she  told  him  that  the  gentleman  who  used  to 
come  to  our  house  so  much  once,  had  contrived  to 
carry  you  off  from  the  place  where  you  lived  with 
her;  so  your  father  concluded  to  send  you  to  your 
uncle's  in  Carolina,  and  said  I  must  go  with  you. 
And  to  tell  you  the  truth,  Miss,  I  was  not  displeas 
ed  with  it:  for  your  father  has  grown  so  sour  of  late 
that  we  have  but.  little  peace  in  the  house." 

"  By  this  I  found  that  my  fate  was  fixed,  and  1 
gave  myself  up  for  some  time  to  unavailing  sorrow. 
The  maid  informed  me  that  my  mother  was  well, 
which  was  one  sweet  consolation  among  my  many 
troubles;  but  she  knew  nothing  of  my  father's  late 
conduct. 

"The  next  morning  we  proceeded,  and  I  was  hur 
ried  on  by  rapid  stages  to  the  Chesapeak,  where, 
with  the  maid  and  one  man  servant,  I  was  put  on 
board  a  packet  for  Charleston,  at  which  place  we 
arrived  in  due  time. 

"My  uncle  and  his  family  received  me  with  much 
tenderness:  the  servant  delivered  a  package  of  let 
teru  to  my  uncle  from  my  father.  The  carriage  with 
one  servant  (the  driver)  had  returned  from  the 
Chesapeak  to  Connecticut. 

"  My  father  had  but  one  brother  and  two  sisters, 


1 

ALONZO    ATD    MELISSA.  15i> 

of  which  my  uncle  here  is  the  youngest.  One  01 
my  aunts,  the  old  maid,  \vho  was  my  protectress  at 
the  old  mansion,  you  have  seen  at  my  father's. 
The  other  was  the  mother  of  Alfred: — she  married 
very  young,  to  a  gentleman  in  Hartford,  of  the 
name  of  Wilmot,  who  fell  before  the  walls  of  Louis- 
burg  in  the  old  French  war.  My  aunt  did  not  long 
survive  him;— her  health,  which  had  been  for  some 
time  declining,  received  so  serious  a  shock  by  this 
catastrophe,  that  she  died  a  few  months  after  the 
melancholy  tidings  arrived,  leaving  Alfred  their  only 
child  then  an  infant,  to  the  protection  of  his  rela 
tions,  who  at  soon  as  he  arrived  at  a  suitable  age, 
placed  him  at  school. 

"  My  grandfather,  who  had  the  principal  manage 
ment  of  Mr.  Wilmot's  estate,  sent  my  uncle,  who 
was  then  young  and  unmarried  to  Hartford,  for  the 
purpose  of  transacting  the  necessary  business.  Here 
he  became  acquainted  with  a  young  lady,  eminent 
for  beauty  and  loveliness,  but  without  fortune,  the 
daughter  of  a  poor  mechanic.  As  soon  as  my  grand 
father  was  informed  of  this  attachment,  he,  in  a 
very  peremtory  manner,  ordered  my  uncle  to  break 
off  the  connection  on  pain  of  his  highest  displeasure. 
But  such  is  the  force  of  early  impressions,  (Melissa 
sighed)  that  my  uncle  found  it  impossible  to  submit 
to  these  firm  injunctions;  a  clandestine  marriage 
ensued,  and  my  grandfather's  malediction  in  conse 
quence.  The  union  was  however,  soon  dissolved; 
my  uncle's  wife  died  in  about  twelve  months  after 
their  marriage,  and  soon  after  the  birth  of  the  first 
child,  which  was  a  daughter.  Inconsolable  and 
comfortless,  rny  uncle  put  the  child  to  nurse,  and 
travelled  to  the  south.  After  wandering  about  for 
some  time,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Charleston, 
where  he  amassed  a  splendid  fortune.  He  finally 

I 


160  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

married  to  an  amiable  woman,  whose  tendernesst 
though  it  did  not  entirely  remove,  yet  greatly  alle 
viated  the  pangs  of  early  sorrow;  and  this,  added  to 
the  little  blandishments  of  a  young  family,  fixed  him 
in  a  state  of  more  contentedness  than  he  once  ever 
expected  to  see. 

**  His  daughter  by  his  first  wife,  when  she  became 
of  proper  age,  was  sent  to  a  respectable  boarding- 
school  in  Boston,  where  she  remained  until  within 
about  two  years  before  I  came  here. 

**  Alfred  was  educated  at  Harvard  College:  as 
soon  as  he  had  graduated,  he  came  here  on  my 
uncle's  request,  and  has  since  remained  in  his 
family. 

'*  Soon  after  I  arrived  here;  my  uncle  came  into 
my  chamber  one  day,  "  Melissa,"  said  he,  "  I  find 
by  your  father's  letters  that  he  considers  you  have 
formed  an  improper  connection.  I  wish  you  to  give 
me  a  true  statement  of  the  matter,  and  if  any  thing 
can  be  done  to  reconcile  you  to  your  father,  you 
may  depend  upon  my  assistance.  I  have  seen  some 
troubles  in  that  way  myself,  in  my  early  days;  per 
haps  my  council  may  be  of  some  service." 

"  I  immediately  gave  a  correct  account  of  every 
particular  circumstance,  from  the  time  of  my  first 
acquaintance  with  you  until  my  arrival  at  this  house. 
He  sat  some  time  silent,  and  then  told  me  that  my 
father,  he  believed  had  drawn  the  worst  side  of  the 
picture;  and  that  he  had  urged  him  to  exert  every 
means  in  his  power  to  reclaim  me  to  obedience: 
That  Beauman  was  to  follow  me  in  a  few  months, 
and  that,  if  I  still  refuse  to  yield  him  my  hand,  my 
father  positively  and  solemnly  declared  that  he  would 
discard  me  forever,  and  strenuously  enjoined  it  upon 
him  to  do  the  same.  "  I  well  know  my  brother's 
temper,"  continued  my  uncle:  "  the  case  is  difficult, 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  161 

but  something  must  be  dene.  I  will  immediately 
write  to  jour  father,  desiring  him  not  to  proceed  too 
rashly;  in  the  mean  time  \ve  must  consider  what 
measures  to  pursue.  You  must  not,  my  niece,  you 
must  not  be  sacrificed."  So  saying,  he  left  me  high 
ly  consoled  that,  instead  of  a  tyrant,  I  had  found  a 
friend  in  my  new  protector. 

"  Alfred  was  made  acquainted  with  my  affair,  and 
many  were  the  plans  projected  for  my  benefit,  and 
abandoned  as  indefeasible,  till  an  event  happened 
which  called  forth  all  the  fortitude  of  my  uncle  to 
support  it,  and  operated  in  the  end  to  free  me  from 
persecution. 

"  My  uncle's  daughter,  by  his  first  wife,  was  of  a 
very  delicate  and  sickly  constitution,  and  her  health 
evidently  decreasing. — After  she  came  to  this  place, 
she  was  sent  to  a  village  on  one  of  the  high  hills 
of  Pedee,  where  she  remained  a  considerable  tin;e; 
— she  then  went  to  one  of  the  inland  towns  in  North 
Carolina  from  whence  she  had  but  just  returned 
with  Alfred  when  I  arrived. — Afterwards  I  accompan 
ied  her  to  Georgetown,  and  other  places,  attended 
by  her  father,  so  that  she  was  little  more  known  in 
Charleston  than  myself."  But  all  answered  no  pur 
pose  to  the  restoration  of  her  health;  a  confirmed 
hectic  carried  her  off  in  the  bloom  of  youth. 

"  I  was  but  a  few  months  older  than  she;  her 
name  was  Melissa,  a  name  which  a  pious  grand 
mother  had  borne,  and  \vas  therefore  retained  in  the 
family.  Our  similarity  of  age,  and  in  some  measure 
of  appearance,  our  being  so  little  known  in  Charles 
ton,  and  our  names  being  the  same,  suggested  to  Al 
fred  the  idea  of  imposing  on  my  father,  by  passing 
off  my  cousin's  death  as  my  own. — This  would,  a* 
least,  deter  Beauman  from  prosecuting  his  intended 
journey  to  Charleston;  it  would  also  give  time  for 


162  ALC.KZO    AXV    MELISSA 


fartlier  deliberation,  and  might  so  operate  on  in) 
father's  feelings,  as  to  soften  that  obduracy  of  tem 
per,  which  deeply  disquieted  himself  and  others,  and 
thus  finally  be  productive  of  happily  effecting  the 
designed  purpose. 

"  My  uncle  was  too  deeply  overwhelmed  in  grief 
to  be  particularly  consulted  on  this  plan.  He  how 
ever  entrusted  Alfred  to  act  with  full  powers,  and  to 
use  his  name  for  my  interest  if  necessary.  Alfred 
therefore  procured  a  publication  as  of  my  death,  in 
the  Connecticut  papers,  particularly  at  New-London 
the  native  place  of  Beauman.  In  Charleston  it  w  as 
generally  supposed  that  it  was  the  niece,  ami  not 
the  daughter  of  Col.  D  ---  ,  who  had  died.  This 
imposition  was  likewise  practiced  upon  the  i-exton, 
•who  keeps  the  register  of  deaihs.*  Alfied  then 
wrote  a  letter  to  my  father,  in  my  uncle's  name, 
stating  the  particulars  of  my  cousin's  death  and  ap 
plying  them  to  me.  The  epitaph  on  her  tom-b-stone 
was  likewise  so  devised  that  it  would  with  equal 
propriety  apply  either  to  her  or  to  me. 

"  To  undeceive  yo^,  Alonzo,"  continued  Melissa, 
"  was  the  next  object.  I  consulted  with  Alfred  how 
this  should  be  done.  *  My  sister,'  he  said,  (in  our 
private  circles  he  always  called  me  by  the  tender 
name  of  sister,)  I  am  determined  to  see  you  happy 
before  I  relinquish  the  business  I  have  undertaken: 
letters  are  a  precarious  mode  of  communication;  I 
will  make  a  journey  to  Connecticut,  rind  out  Alonzo, 
visit  your  friends  and  see  how  the  plan  operates.  I 
am  known  to  your  father,  who  has  ever  treated  me 
RS  a  relative.  I  will  return  as  speedily  as  possible, 
and  we  shall  then  know  what  measures  are  best  next 
to  pursue." 

*  This  was  formerly  the  case. 


1 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  163 

*'  I  requested  him  to  unfold  the  deception  to  my 
mother,  and,  if  he  found  it  expedient,  to  Vincent 
and  Mr.  Simpson,  in  whose  friendship  and  fidelity  I 
was  sure  he  might  safely  confide. 

'*  lie  soon  departed,  and  returned  in  about  tw« 
months  He  found  my  father  and  mother  in  extreme 
distress  on  account  of  my  supposed  death:  my 
mother's  grief  had  brought  her  on  the  bed  of  sick 
ness;  but  when  Alfred  had  undeceived  her  she  rap 
idly  revived. — My  father  told  Alfred  that  he  serious 
ly  regretted  opposing  my  inclinations,  and  that,  were 
it  possible  he  could  retrace  the  steps  he  had  taken, 
he  should  conduct  in  a  very  different  manner,  as  he 
was  not  only  deprived  of  me,  but  Edgar  also,  who 
had  gone  to  Holland  in  an  official  capacity,  soon 
after  receiving  the  tidings  of  my  death.  '  I  am  now 
childless,'  said  my  father  in  tears.  Alfred  s  feelings 
were  moved,  and  could  he  then  have  found  you,  he 
would  have  told  my  father  the  truth;  but  lest  he 
ghould  relapse  from  present  determinations,  he  con 
sidered  it  his  duty  still,  with  him,  to  continue  the 
deception. 

"  On  enquiring  at  your  father's,  at  Vincent's,  and 
at  Mr.  Simpson's,  he  could  learn  nothing  of  you,  ex 
cept  that  you  had  gone  to  New  London,  judging 
possibly  that  you  would  find  me  there.  Alfred  there 
fore  determined  to  proceed  to  that  place  immediate 
ly.  He  then  confidently  unfolded  to  your  father, 
Vincent,  and  Mr.  Simpson,  the  scheme,  desiring  that 
if  you  returned  you  would  proceed  immediately  to 
Charleston. — My  father  was  still  to  be  kept  in  igno 
rance. 

"  Alfred  proceeded  immediately  to  NP-, -London: 
from  my  cousin  there  he  was  informed  of  your  in 
terview  with  him;  but  from  whence  you  then  came, 
or  where  you  went,  be  knew  not;  and  after  making 


164  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

II 

the  strictest  enquiry,  he  could  hear  nothing  more  oi 
you.  By  a  vessel  in  that  port,  bound  directly  for 
Holland,  he  wrote  an  account  of  the  whole  affair  to 
Edgar,  mentioning  his  unsuccessful  search  to  find 
you;  and  returned  to  Charleston. 

"  Alfred  learnt  from  rnv  friends  the  circumstances 
which  occasioned  my  sudden  removal  from  the  old 
mansion.  The  morning  you  left  me  you  was  discov 
ered  by  my  aunt,  who  was  passing  the  road  in  a  chair 
with  a  gentleman,  whom  she  had  then  but  recently 
become  acquainted  with.  My  aunt  knew  you. 
They  immediately  drove  to  John's  hut.  On  finding 
that  John  had  left  the  keys  with  me,  she  sent  him 
for  them;  and  on  my  refusing  to  give  them  up,  she 
came  herself,  as  I  have  before  related;  and  as  she 
succeeded  no  better  than  John,  she  returned,  dis 
patched  a  message  to  my  father,  informing  him  of 
the  circumstances,  and  her  suspicions  of  your  hav 
ing  been  to  the  mansion,  and  that,  from  my  having 
possession  of  the  keys  and  refusing  to  yield  them  up, 
there  was  little  doubt  but  that  we  had  formed  a  plan 
for  rny  escape. 

"  Alarmed  at  this  information,  my  father  immedi 
ately  ordeied  his  carriage,  drove  to  the  mansion, 
and  removed  me,  as  I  have  before  informed  you. 

"  I  ought  to  have  told  you,  that  the  maid  and 
man  servant  who  attended  me  to  Charleston,  not 
liking  the  country,  and  growing  sickly,  were  sent 
back  by  my  uncle,  after  they  had  been  there  about 
two  months." 

Alonzo  found  by  this  narrative  that  John  had  de 
ceived  '-<ira,  when  he  made  his  inquiries  of  him  con 
cerning  h./  knowledge  of  Melissa's  removal.  But 
this  was  not  surprising:  John  was  tenant  to  Melissa's 
aunt,  and  subseivient  to  all  her  views; — she  hadun* 
Joubtedly  given  him  instructions  bow  to  act. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  165 

**  But  who  was  the  strange  gentleman  with  your 
aunt  ?"  inquired  Alonzo.  "  This  I  will  also  tell  you 
answered  Melissa,  tho'  it  unfolds  a  tale  which  re 
flects  no  great  honor  to  my  family. 

"  Hamblin  was  tho  name  which  this  man  assumed: 
he  said  he  had  been  an  eminent  merchant  in  New 
York,  a-nd  had  left  it  about  the  time  it  was  taken  by 
the  British.  He  lodged  at  an  inn  where  my  aunt 
frequently  stopped  when  she  was  out  collecting  her 
rents,  where  he  first  introduced  himself  to  her  ac 
quaintance,  and  ingratiated  himself  into  her  favor 
by  art  and  insidiousness.  He  accompanied  her  on 
her  visits  to  her  tenants,  and  assisted  her  in  collect 
ing  her  rents.  He  told  her,  that  when  the  war 
came  on,  he  had  turned  his  effects  into  money, 
which  he  had  with  him,  and  was  now  in  pursuit  of 
some  country  place  where  he  might  purchase  a  res 
idence  to  remain  during  the  war.  To  cut  the  story 
as  short  as  possible,  he  initialed  himself  so  far  in  my 
aunt's  favor  that  she  accepted  his  hand,  and  con 
trary  to  my  father's  opinion,  she  married  him,  and 
he  soon  after  persuaded  her  to  sell  her  property, 
under  pretence  of  removing  to  some  populous  town, 
and  living  in  style.  Her  property,  however,  was  no 
sooner  sold  (which  my  father  bought  for  ready  cash, 
at  a  low  price)  than  he  found  means  to  realize  the 
money,  and  absconded. 

"  It  was  afterwards  found  that  his  real  name  was 
Brenton;  that  he  had  a  wife  and  family  in  Virginia 
in  indigent  circumstances,  where  he  had  spent  an 
ample  fortune,  left  him  by  his  father,  in  debauchery, 
and  involved  himself  deeply  in  debt.  He  had  scarce 
ly  time  to  get  off  with  the  booty  he  swindled  from 
my  aunt,  when  his  creditors  from  Virginia  were  at 
his  heels.  He  fled  to  the  British  at  New  York, 
where  he  rioted  for  a  few  months,  was  finallv  st»v*. 


166  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

bed  by  a  soldser  in  a  fracas,  and  died  the  next  day. 
He  was  about  thirty-five  years  old. 

"  All  these  tro  ibles  bore  so  heavily  upon  my  auntj 
that  she  went  into  a  decline,  and  died  about  six 
months  ago. 

"  After  Alfred  returned  from  Connecticut,  he 
wrote  frequently  to  Vincent  and  Mr.  Simpson,  but 
could  obtain  no  intelligence  concerning  you.  It 
would  be  needless  Alonzo,  to  describe  my  conjec 
tures,  my  anxieties,  rny  feelings!  The  death  of  my 
cousin  and  aunt  had  kept  me  in  crape  until,  at  the 
instance  of  Alfred,  I  put  it  off  yesterday  morning  at 
my  uncle's  house,  which'Alfred  had  proposed  for  the 
scene  of  action,  after  he  had  discovered  the  cause 
my  fainting  at  the  theatre.  I  did  not  readily  come 
into  Alfred's  plan  to  deceive  you:  *  Suffer  me,'  he 

said,  'to  try  the  constancy  of  your  Leander; 1 

doubt  whether  he  would  swim  the  Hellespont  for 
you.'  This  aroused  my  pride  and  confidence,  and  I 
permitted  him  to  proceed." 

Alonzo  then  gave  Melissa  a  minute  account  of  all 
that  happened  to  him  from  the  time  of  their  parting 
at  the  old  mansion  until  he  met  with  her  the  day  be 
fore.  At  the  mention  of  Beauman's  fate  Melissa 
sighed.  **  With  how  many  vain  fears,"  said  she, 
"was  I  perplexed,  lest,  by  some  means  he  should 
discover  my  existence  and  place  of  residence,  after 
he,  alas,  was  silent  in  the  tomb!" 

Alonzo  told  Melissa  that  he  had  received  a  letter 
from  Edgar,  after  he  arrived  in  Holland,  and  that  he 
had  written  him  an  answer,  just  as  he  left  Paris, 
informing  him  of  his  reasons  for  returning  to  Amer« 
ica. 

When  the  time  arrived  that  Alonzo  and  Melissa 
were  to  set  out  for  Connecticut,  Melissa's  uncle  and 
Alfred  accompanied  them  as  far  as  Georgetown, 


4.LONZO    AND    MELISS  i..  167 

where  an  affectionate  parting  took  place:  The  lattef 
returned  to  Charleston,  and  the  former  proceeded  on 
their  journey. 

Philadelphia  was  now  in  possession  of  the  British 
troops.  Alonzo  found  Dr.  Franklin's  agent  at  Ches 
ter,  transacted  his  business,  went  on,  arrived  at 
Vincent's  where  he  left  Melissa,  and  proceeded  im 
mediately  to  his  father's. 

The  friends  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa  were  joyfully 
surprised  at  their  arrival.  Melissa's  mother  was 
sent  for  to  Vincent's.  Let  imagination  paint  the 
meeting!  As  yet  however  they  were  not  prepared 
to  undeceive  her  father. 

Alonzo  found  his  parents  in  penurious  circumstan 
ces;  indeed,  his  father  having  the  preceding  summer, 
been  too  indisposed  to  manage  his  little  farm  with 
attention,  and  being  unable  to  hire  laborers,  his 
crops  had  yielded  but  a  scanty  supply,  and  he  had 
been  compelled  to  sell  most  of  his  stock  to  answer 
pressing  demands.  With  great  joy  they  welcomed 
Alonzo,  whom  they  had  given  up  as  lost.  "  You 
still  find  your  father  poor,  Alonzo,"  said  the  old 
gentleman,  "  but  you  find  him  still  honest. — From 
my  inability  to  labor,  we  have  latterly  been  a  liitlo 
more  pressed  than  usual;  but  having  now  recovered 
my  health,  I  trust  that  that  difficulty  will  soon  be  re 
moved." 

Alonzo  asked  his  father  if  he  ever  knew  Dr. 
Franklin. 

"  We  were  school-mates,"  he  replied,  "  and  were 
intimately  acquainted  after  we  became  young  men 
in  business  for  ourselves.  We  have  done  each  other 
favors;  I  once  divided  my  money  with  Franklin  on 
an  urgent  occasion  to  him;  he  afterwards  repaid 
me  with  ample  interest — he  will  never  forget  it." 

A'onzo  then  related  to  his  father  all  the  incident* 


168  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

of  his  travels,  minutely  particularizing  the  disinterest 
ed  conduct  of  Franklin,  and  then  presented  his 
father  with  the  reversion  of  his  estate.  The  old  man 
fell  on  his  knees,  and  with  tears  streaming  down  his 
withered  cheeks,  offered  devout  thanks  to  the  great 
Dispenser  of  all  mercies. 

Alonzo  then  visited  Melissa's  father,  who  received 
him  with  much  complacency.  "  I  have  injured," 
paid  he,  **  my  young  friend,  deeply  injured  you;  but 
in  doing  this,  I  have  inflicted  a  wound  still  deeper  in 
my  own  bosom." 

Alonzo  desired  him  not  to  renew  his  sorrows. 
"  What  is  past,"  said  he,  "  is  beyond  recal;  but  a 
subject  of  some  importance  to  me,  is  the  object  of 
my  present  visit. — True  it  is,  that  your  daughter  wag 
the  object  of  my  earliest  affection — an  affection 
which  my  bosom  must  ever  retain:  but.  being  separ 
ated  by  the  will  of  Providence — for  I  view  Provi 
dence  as  overruling  all  events  for  wise  purposes — I 
betook  myself  to  travel.  Time,  you  know  it  is  said, 
sir,  will  blunt  the  sharpest  thorns  of  sorrow. — [The 
old  man  sighed]  —-In  my  travels  I  have  found  a 
lady  so  nearly  resembling  your  daughter,  that  I  was 
induced  to  sue  for  her  hand,  and  have  been  so  hap 
py  as  to  gain  the  promise  of  it.  The  favor  I  have 
to  ask  of  you,  sir,  is  >nly  that  you  will  permit  the 
marriage  ceremony  to  be  celebrated  in  your  house, 
as  you  know  my  father  is  poor,  his  house  small  and 
inconvenient,  and  that  you  will  also  honor  me  by 
giving  the  lady  away  In  receiving  her  from  your 
hands,  I  shall  in  some  measure  realize  former  an 
ticipations;  I  shall  receive  her  in  the  character  of 
Melissa." 

"Ah!"  said  Melissa's  father,  "  were  it  in  my  pow 
er — could  I  give  you  the  original;  But  how  vain  that 
wish!  Yos  my  young  friend,  your  request  shall  be 


ALOXZO    AWD    MELISSA.  169 

punctually  complied  with:  I  will  take  upon  myself 
the  preparations.  Name  your  day,  and  if  the  lady 
is  portionless,  in  that  she  shall  be  to  me  a  Melissa." 

Alonzo  bowed  his  head  in  gratitude;  and  after  ap 
pointing  that  day  week,  he  departed. 

Invitations  were  once  more  sent  abroad  for  the 
wedding  of  AJonzo  and  Melissa. — Few  indeed  knew 
it  to  be  the  real  Melissa,  but  they  were  generally  in 
formed  of  Alonzo's  reason,  for  preferring  the  cele 
bration  at  her  father's. 

The  evening  before  the  day  on  which  the  marriage 
was  to  take  place,  Alonzo  and  Melissa  were  sitting 
with  the  Vincents  in  an  upper  room,  when  a  person 
rapped  at  the  door  below.  Vincent  went  down,  and 
immediately  returned,  introducing,  to  the  joy  and 
surprise  of  the  company,  Edgar! 

Here,  again,  we  shall  leave  it  for  the  immagina- 
tion  to  depict  the  scene  of  an  affectionate  brother, 
meeting  a  tender  and  only  sister,  whom  he  had  long 
since  supposed  to  be  dead!  He  had  been  at  his 
father's,  and  his  mother  had  let  him  .nto  the  secret, 
when  he  immediately  hastened  to  Vincent's.  He 
told  them  that  he  did  not  stay  long  in  Holland;  that 
after  receiving  Alonzo's  letter  from  Paris,  he  felt  an 
unconquerable  propensity  to  return,  and  soon  sailed 
for  America,  arrived  a  Boston,  came  to  New  Haven, 
took  orders  in  the  ministry,  and  had  reached  home 
that  day:  He  informed  them  that  Mr.  Simpson  and 
family  had  arrived  at  his  father's  and  some  relatives 
whom  his  mother  had  invited. 

The  next  morning  ushered  in  the  day  in  which  the 
hero  and  heroine  of  our  story  were  to  consummate 
their  felicity.  No  cross  purposes  stood  ready  to  in 
tervene  their  happiness, no  obdurate  father, no  watch 
ful  scowling  aunt,  to  interrupt  their  transports.  It 
was  the  latter  er*i  of  May;  nature  was  arrayed  in 


170  ALONZO  ANT*  MELISSA. 

her  richest  ornaments,  and  adorned  with  her  sweetest 
perfumes.  The  sun  blended  its  mild  lustre  with  the 
landscape's  lovely  green;  silk-winged  breezes  frol 
icked  amidst  the  flowers;  the  spring  birds  earroled  in 
varying  strains: 

*  The  air  was  fragrance,  and  the  world  was  love.' 

Evening  was  appointed  for  the  ceremony,  and  Ed 
gar  was  to  be  the  officiating  clergyman, 

««  To   tie  those    bands  which  nought  but  death    can 
sever." 

When  the  hour  arrived,  they  repaired  to  the  house 
of  Melissa's  father,  where  numerous  guests  had  as 
sembled.  Melissa  was  introduced  into  the  bridal 
apartment,  and  took  her  seat  among  a  brilliant  circle 
of  ladies.  She  was  attired  in  robes  "  white  as  the 
southern  clouds,"  spangled  with  silver,  and  trimmed 
with  deep  gold  lace;  her  hair  hung  loosely  upon  her 
shoulders,  encircled  by  a  wreath  of  artificial  flowers. 
She  had  regained  all  her  former  loveliness;  the  ro?e 
and  the  lily  again  blended  their  tinges  in  her  cheek; 
again  pensive  sprightliness  sparkled  in  her  eye. 

Alonzo  was  now  introduced,  and  took  his  seat  at 
the  side  of  Melissa.  His  father  and  mother  came 
next,  who  were  placed  at  the  right  hand  of  the  young 
couple:  Melissa's  parents  followed,  and  were  sta 
tioned  at  the  left.  Edgar  then  came  and  took  his 
0eat  in  front;  after  which  the  guests  were  summoned 
who  filled  the  room.  Edgar  then  rising,  mentioned 
to  the  intended  bride  and  bridegroom  to  rise  also 
He  next  turned  to  Alonzo's  father  for  his  sanction, 
who  bowed  assent.  Then  addressing  his  own  father, 
with  emotio  is  that  scarcely  suffered  him  to  articulate. 
*'  Do  you,  sir,"  said  he,  **  give  this  lady  to  that 
gentleman  "  A  soleom  silence  prevailed  in  the 


AT.ONZO    AND    MELISSA.  171 

room.  Melissa  was  extremely  agitated,  as  her  father 
slowly  rising,  and  with  down-cast  eyes, 

"  Where  tides  of  heavy  sorrow  swell'd," 

took  her  trembling  hand,  and  conveying  it  into  A- 
lonzo's,  "  May  the  smiles  of  heaven  rest  upon  you, 
he  said;  may  future  blessings  crown  your  present 
happy  prospects;  and  may  your  latter  days  never  be 

embittered  by  the  premature  loss  of  near  and  dear 
______» 

Pungent  grief  here  choaked  his  utterance,  and  at 
this  moment  Melissa,  falling  upon  her  knees,  "Dear 
father!  she  exclaimed,  bursting  into  tears,  pardon  de 
ception,  acknowledge  your  daughter — your  own 
Melissa!" 

Her  father  started — he  ga/ed  at  her  with  scrutini 
zing  attention,  and  sunk  back  in  his  chair. — ««  My 
daughter!"  he  cried,  **  God  of  mysterious  mercy  ! 
it  is  my  daughter!" 

The  guests  caught  the  contagious  sympathy;  con 
vulsive  sobs  arose  from  all  parts  of  the  room.  Me 
lissa's  father  clasped  her  in  his  arms — "  And  I  re 
ceive  thee  as  from  the  dead'."  he  said.  "  I  am  anx 
ious  to  hear  the  mighty  mystery  unfolded.  But  first 
let  the  solemn  rites  for  which  we  are  assembled  be 
concluded;  let  not  an  old  man's  anxiety  interrupt 
the  ceremony." 

*«  Uut  you  arc  apprised,  sir,*'  said  Alonzo,  "  of  my 
inability  to  support  your  daughter  according  to  her 
deserts." 

"  Leave  that  to  me  my  young  friend,"  replied  her 
father.  "  I  have  enough.:  my  children  are  restored 
and  I  am  happy." 

Melissa  soon  resumed  her  former  station.  The 
indissoluble  knot  was  tied:  they  sat  down  to  tha 


1T2  ALOITZO  AND  MELISSA. 

wedding  feast,  and  mirth  and  hiliarity  danced  in 
cheerful  circles. 

Before  the  company  retired,  Edgar  related  the 
most  prominent  incidents  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa's 
history,  since  they  had  been  absent.  The  guests 
listened  with  attention,  they  applauded  the  conduct 
of  onr  new  bride  and  bridegroom,  in  which  Melissa's 
father  cordially  joined.  They  rejoiced  to  find  that 
Alonzo's  father  had  regained  his  fortune,  and  copi 
ous  libations  were  poured  forth  in  honor  of  the  im 
mortal  Franklin. 

And  now,  reader  of  sensibility,  indulge  the  pleas 
ing  sensations  of  thy  bosom,  for  Alonzo  and  Melissa 
are  MARRIED. 

Alonzo's  father  was  soon  in  complete  repossession 
of  his  former  property.  The  premises  from  which 
ho  had  been  driven  by  his  unfeeling  creditors,  were 
yielded  up  without  difficulty,  and  to  which  he  im 
mediately  removed.  He  not  only  recovered  the  prin 
cipal  of  the  fortune  he  had  lost,  but  the  damages 
and  the  interest;  so  that,  although  like  Job,  he  had 
seen  afflictions,  like  him  his  latter  days  were  better 
than  his  beginning.  But  wearied  with  the  business 
of  life,  he  did  not  again  enter  into  the  mercantile 
business,  but  placing  his  money  at  interest  in  safe 
hands,  lived  retired  on  his  little  farm. 

A  few  days  after  the  wedding  as  Melissa  was  sit 
ting  with  Alonzo,  Edgar  and  her  parents,  she  ask 
ed  her  father  whether  the  old  mansion  was  inhab 
ited. 

««  Not  by  human  beings,"  he   replied! "  Since 

it  has  fallen  into  my  hands  I  h  ive  leased  it  to  three 
of  four  different  families,  who  all  left  it  under  fool 
ish  pretence  or  impiession  of  hearing  noises  and  see 
ing  frightful  objects,  and  such  is  the  superstition  of 
the  people  that  no  one  now,  will  venture  to  try  it 


AI.ONZO    AND    MELISSA.  173 

again,  though  I  suppose  its  inhabitants  to  consist 
only  of  rats  and  mice." 

Melissa  then  informed  them  of  all  that  had  hap 
pened  when  she  was  there,  the  alarming  noises  and 
horrible  appearances  she  had  been  witness  to,  and 
in  which  she  was  confident  her  senses  had  not  de 
ceived  her.  Exceedingly  astonished  at  her  relation, 
it  was  agreed  that  Edgar  and  Alon7.o,  properly  at-  j 

tended,  should  proceed  to  the  mansion,  in  order  to 
find  whether  any  discoveries  could  be  made  which 
might  tend  to  the  elucidation  of  so  mysterious  an 
affair. 

For  this  purpose  they  chose  twenty  men  armed 
them  with  muskets  and  swords,  and  proceeded  to 
the  place,  where  they  arrived  in  the  dusk  of  the 
evening,  having  chosen  that  season  as  the  most  fa 
vorable  to  their  designs. 

They  found  the  draw-bridge  up,  and  the  gate  lock 
ed,  as  Edgar's  father  said  he  had  left  them.  They 
entered  and  secured  them  in  the  same  manner. 
When  they  came  to  the  house,  they  cautiously  un 
locked  the  door,  and  proceeded  to  the  chamber 
where  they  struck  a  fire  and  lighted  candles,  which 
they  brought  with  them.  It  was  then  agreed  to 
plant  fifteen  of  the  men  at  suitable  distances  around 
the  mansion,  and  retain  five  in  the  chamber  with  A- 
lon/.o  and  Edgar. 

The  men  who  were  placed  around  the  house,  were 
stationed  behind  trees,  stumps  or  rocks,  and  where 
no  object  presented,  lay  fiat  on  the  ground,  with  or 
ders  not  to  stir,  or  discover  themselves,  let  what 
would  ensue,  unless  some  alarm  should  be  given  from 
the  house. 

Alonzo  and  Edgar  were  armed  with  pistols  aid 
side  arms,  and  posted  themselves  with  the  five  men 
in  the  chamber,  taking  care  that  the  lights  should 


174  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA, 

not  shine  against,  the  window  shutters,  8)  that 
nothing  could  be  discovered  from  without.  Things 
thus  arranged,  they  observed  almost  implicit  silence, 
no  one  being  allowed  to  speak,  except  in  a  low 
whisper. 

For  a  long  time  no  sound  was  heard  except  the 
hollow  roar  of  the  winds  in  the  neighboring  forest, 
their  whistling  around  the  angles  of  the  mansion,  or 
the  hoarse  murmurs  of  the  distant  surge.  The  night 
was  dark,  and  only  illuminated  by  the  feeble  twink 
ling  of  half  clouded  stars. 

They  had  watched  until  about  midnight,  when 
they  were  alarmed  by  noises  in  the  rooms  below, 
among  which  they  could  distinguish  footsteps  and 
human  voices.  Alonzo  and  Edgar,  then  taking  each 
a  pistol  in  one  hand,  and  a  drawn  sworn  in  the  other, 
ordered  their  men  to  follow  them,  prepared  for  ac- 
tron.  Coming  to  the  head  of  the  stairs,  they  saw  a 
brilliant  Nght  streaming  into  the  hall;  they  therefore 
concluded  to  take  no  candles,  and  to  prevent  discov 
ery  they  took  off  their  shoes.  When  they  came  into 
the  hall  opposite  the  door  of  the  room  from  whence 
the  liijht  and  noises  proceeded,  they  discovered  ten 
men  genteellv  dressed,  sitting  around  a  table,  on 
which  was  placed  a  considerable  quantity  of  gold 
and  silver  coin,  a  number  of  glasses  and  several  de 
canters  of  wine.  Alonzo  and  his  party  stood  a  few 
minutes,  listening  to  the  following  discourse,  which 
took  place  among  this  ghostly  gentry. 

"Well,  boys,  we  have  made  a  fine  haul  this  trip." 

"Yes,  but  poor  15ob,  tho  igh,  was  plumped 

over  by  the  d d  skulkers!" — "Aye,  and  had 

we  not  tugged  bravely  at  the  oars,  they  would  have 

hooked  us." "  Rascally  cow-boys  detained  us 

too  long." "Well,  never  mind  it;  let  us 

knock  around  the  wine,  and  then  divide  the  spoil." 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  175 

At  this  moment,  Alonzo  and  Edgar,  followed  by 
the  five  men,  rushed  into  the  room,  crying,  "  Sur 
render,  or  you  are  all  dead  men!"  In  an  instant 
the  room  was  involved  in  pitchy  darkness;  a  loud 
crash  was  heard,  tnen  a  scampering  about  the  floor, 
and  a  noise  as  if  several  doors  shut  too  with  violence. 
They  however  gave  the  alarm  to  the  men  without 
by  loud.y  shouting  "Look  out;"  and  immediately  the 
discharge  of  several  guns  was  heard  around  the 
mansion.  One  of  the  men  flew  up  stairs  and  brought 
a  light;  but,  to  their  utter  amazement  no  person  was 
to  be  discovered  in  the  room  except  their  own  party. 
The  table  with  its  apparatus,  and  the  chairs  on 
which  these  now  invisible  beings  had  sat,  had  disap 
peared,  not  a  bingle  trace  of  them  being  left. 

While  they  stood  petrified  with  astonishment,  the 
men  from  without  called  for  admittance.  The  door 
being  unlocked,  they  led  in  a  stranger  wounded, 
whom  they  immediately  discovered  to  be  one  of 
those  they  had  seen  at  the  table. 

The  men  who  had  been  stationed  around  the  man 
sion  informed,  that  some  time  before  the  alarm  was 
made,  they  saw  a  number  of  persons  crossing  the 
yard  from  the  western  part  of  the  enclosure,  towards 
the  house;  that  immediately  after  the  shout  was 
given,  they  discovered  several  people  running  back 
in  the  same  direction:  they  hailed  them,  which  be 
ing  disregarded,  they  fired  upon  them,  one  of  whom 
they  brought  down  which  vas  the  wounded  man 
they  had  brought  in.  The  others,  though  they  pur 
sued  them,  got  off. 

The  prisoner's  wound  was  not  dangerous;  the  ball 
had  shattered  his  arm,  and  glanced  upon  his  breast. 
They  dressed  his  wound  as  well  as  they  could,  and 
then  requested  him  to  unfold  the  circumstances  oi 
the  suspicious  appearance  in  which  he  was  involved. 


176  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

"  First  promise  me,  on  your  honor,*5  said  tht 
stranger,  "  that  you  will  use  your  influence  to  pre 
vent  my  being  punished  or  imprisoned. 

This  they  readily  agreed  to,  on  condition  that  he 
would  conceal  nothing  from  them — and  he  gave 
them  the  following  relation: 

That  they  were  a  part  of  a  gang  of  illicit  traders; 
men  who  had  combined  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
on  a  secret  and  illegal  commerce  with  the  British 
army  on  Long  Island,  whom,  contrary  to  the  exist 
ing  laws,  they  supplied  with  provisions,  and  brought 
off  English  goods,  which  they  sold  at  very  extortion 
ate  prices.  But  this  was  not  all;  they  also  brought 
over  large  quantities  of  counterfeit  continental  mon 
ey,  which  they  put  off  among  the  Americans  for 
live  stock,  poultry,  produce,  &c.  which  they  carried 
to  the  Island.  The  counterfeit  money  they  pur 
chased  by  merely  paying  for  the  printing;  the  Brit 
ish  having  obtained  copies  of  the  American  emission. 
Struck  immense  quanties  of  it  in  New-York,  and  in 
sidiously  sent  it  out  into  the  country,  in  order  to  sink 
our  currency. 

This  gang  was  likewise  connected  with  the  cow 
boys,  who  made  it  their  business  to  steal,  not  only 
milch  cows,  and  other  cattle,  but  also  hogs  and 
sheep,  which  they  drove  by  night  to  some  conven 
ient  place  on  the  shores  of  the  Sound,  where  these 
thief -partners  received  them  and  conveyed  them  to 
the  British. 

"  In  our  excursions  across  the  Sound,  continued 
the  wounded  man,  we  had  frequently  observed  th:g 
mansion,  which,  from  every  appearance,  we  were 
convinced  was  uninhabited — we  therefore  select'  t 
as  a  suitable  place  for  our  future  rendezvous,  wluch 
had  heretofore  been  only  in  the  open  woods  To 
cioss  the  moat  we  dragged  up  an  old  canoe  from 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  177 

the  sea  shore,  which  we  concealed  in  the  bushes  as 
soon  as  we  recrossed  from  the  old  mansion.  To  get 
over  the  wall  we  used  ladders  of  ropes,  placing  a 
flat  of  thick  board  on  the  top  of  the  spikes  driven 
into  the  wall.  We  found  more  difficulty  in  getting 
into  the  house: — we  however  at  length  succeeded, 
by  tearing  away  a  part  of  the  back  wall,  where  we 
fitted  in  a  door  so  exactly,  and  so  nicely  painted  it, 
that  it  dould  no-t  be  distinguished  from  the  wall  itself. 
This  door  was  so  constructed,  that  on  touching  a 
spring,  it  would  fly  open,  and  when  unrestrained, 
would  shut  too  with  violence.  Finding  the  apart 
ment  so  eligible  for  our  purpose,  and  fearing  that  at 
some  future  time  we  might  be  disturbed  either  by  the 
owner  of  the  building  or  some  tenant,  we  cut  similar 
doors  into  every  room  of  the  house,  so  that  on  aa 
emergency  we  could  traverse  every  apartment  with 
out  access  to  the  known  doors.  Trap-doors  on  a 
similar  construction,  communicated  with  the  cellar: 
— the  table,  which  you  saw  us  sitting  around,  stood 
on  one  of  those,  which,  on  your  abrupt  appearance, 
as  soon  as  the  candles  were  extinguished,  was  with 
its  contents,  precipitated  below,  and  we  made  our 
escape  by  those  secret  doors,  judging,  that  although 
you  had  seen  us,  if  we  could  get  off,  you  would  be 
unable  to  find  out  any  thing  which  might  lead  to  our 
discovery. 

"  A  circumstance  soon  occurred,  which  tended  to 
embarrass  our  plans,  and  at  first  seemed  to  menace 
their  overthrow.  Our  assembling  at  the  mansion 
was  irregular,  as  occasion  and  circumstances  requir 
ed;  often  not  more  than  once  a  week,  but  sometimes 
more  frequent,  and  always  in  the  night. — Late  one 
night,  as  we  were  proceeding  to  the  mansion,  and 
had  arrived  near  it  suddenly  one  of  the  chamber 
windows  was  opened,  and  a  light  issued  from  within. 


178  ALONZO    AND    MELISSA 

We  entered  the  house  with  caution,  and  soon  dis 
covered  that  some  person  was  in  the  chamber  from 
whence  we  had  seen  the  light.  We  remained  until 
all  was  silent,  and  then  entered  the  chamber  by  one 
of  ou.  secret  doors,  and  to  our  inexpressable  sur 
prise,  oeheld  a  beautiful  young  lady  asleep  on  the 
only  bed  in  the  room.  We  cautiously  retired,  and 
reconnoitering  all  parts  of  the  mansion,  found  that 
she  was  the  only  inhabitant  except  ourselves.  The 
singularity  of  her  being  there  alone,  is  a  circumstance 
we  have  never  been  aile  to  discover,  but  it  gave  us 
fair  hopes  of  easily  procuring  her  ejectment.  We 
then  immediately  withdrew,  and  made  preparations 
to  dispossess  the  fair  tenant  of  the  premises  to  which 
we  considered  ourselves  more  properly  entitled,  as 
possessing  a  prior  incumbency. 

"  We  did  not  effect  the  completion  of  our  appara 
tus  under  three  or  four  days.  As  soon  as  they  were 
prepared,  we  returned  to  the  mansion.  As  we  ap 
proached  the  house,  it  appears  the  lady  heard  us, 
for  again  she  suddenly  flung  up  a  window  and  held 
out  a  candle:  we  skulked  from  the  light,  but  feared 
she  had  a  glimpse  of  us. — After  we  had  got  into  the 
house  we  were  still  until  we  supposed  her  to  be 
asleep,  which  we  found  to  be  the  case  on  going  to 
her  chamber. 

"  We  then  stationed  one  near  her  bed,  who,  by  a 
loud  rap  on  the  floor  with  a  cane,  appeared  to  arousfc 
her  in  a  fright.  Loud  noises  were  then  made  below, 
and  some  of  them  ran  heavily  up  the  stairs  which 
led  to  her  chamber;  the  person  stationed  in  the  room 
whispering  near  her  bed — she  raised  herself  up,  and 
he  fled  behind  the  curtains.  Soon  after  she  again 
lay  down;  he  approached  nearer  the  bed  with  a  de 
sign  to  lay  his  hand,  on  which  he  had  drawn  a  thin 
•beet-lead  glove,  across  her  face;  but  discovering 


AL.ONZO    AND    MELISSA.  179 

her  arm  on  Lie  out  side  of  the  bed-clothes,  he  &rasp» 
ed  it — she  screamed  and  sprang  up  in  the  bed;  the 
man  then  left  the  room. 

*•  As  it  was  not  our  intention   to  injure    the   lady 
but  only  to  drive  her  from  the  L_use,  we    concluded 
we  had  sufficiently  alarmed  her,  and    having   extin-  » 
guished  the  lights,  were  about  to    depart,    when  we  / 
heard  her  descending  the  stairs.       She    come    down  '• 
and  examined  the  doors,  when  one  of  our  party,   inf 
a  loud  whisper,  crying  "  away  away,"  she    darted 
up  stairs,  and  we  left  the  house. 

"  We  did  not  return  the  next  night,  in  order  -to 
give  her  time  to  get  off;  but  the  night  after  we  a- 
gain  repaired  to  the  mansion,  expecting  that  she  had 
gone,  but  we  were  disappointed.  As  it  was  late 
when  we  arrived,  she  was  wrapped  in  sleep,  and  we 
found  that  more  forcible  measures  must  be  resorted 
to  before  we  could  remove  her,  and  for  such  meas 
ures  we  were  amply  prepared. 

The  stranger  then  unfolded  the  mysteries  of  that 
awful  night,  when  Melissa  was  so  terrified  by  horri 
ble  appearances.  One  of  the  tallest  and  most  ro 
bust  of  the  gang,  was  attired,  as  has  been  described, 
when  he  appeared  by  her  bed  side.  The  white  robe 
was  an  old  sheet,  stained  in  some  parts  with  a  liquid 
red  mixture;  the  wound  in  his  breast  was  artificial, 
and  the  blood  issuing  therefrom  was  only  some  of 
this  mixture,  pressed  from  a  small  bladder,  conceal 
ed  under  his  robe.  On  his  head  and  face  he  wore  a 

mask,  with  glass  eyes the  mask  was    painted  to 

suit  their  purposes.  The  bloody  dagger  was  of  wood, 
and  painted. 

Thus  accoi  *.red,  he  took  his  stand  near  Melissa's 
bed,  having  first  blown  out  the  candles  she  had  left 
burning,  and  discharged  a  small  pistol.  Perceiving 
this  had  awaksned  her,  a  train  of  powder  was  fired 


180  A.LONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

in  the  adjoining  room  opposite  the  secret  door,  vshlck 
was  left  open, in  order  that  the  flash  might  illuminate 
her  apartment;  then  several  large  cannon  balls  were 
rolled  through  the  rooms  over  her  head,  imitative  of 
thunder.  The  person  in  her  room  then  uttered  a 
horrible  groan,  and  gliding  along  by  her  bed,  took 
his  stand  behind  the  curtains,  near  the  foot.  The 
noises  below,  the  cry  of  murder,  the  firing  of  the 
second  pistol,  and  the  running  up  stairs,  were  all 
corresponding  scenes  to  impress  terror  on  her  im 
agination.  The  pretended  ghost  then  advanced  in 
front  of  her  bed,  while  lights  were  slowly  introduc 
ed,  which  first  shone  faintly  until  they  were  ushered 
into  the  room  by  the  private  door,  exhibited  the  per 
son  before  her  in  all  his  horrific  appearances.  On 
her  shrieking,  and  shrinking  into  the  bed,  the  lights 
were  suddenly  extinguished,  and  the  person,  after 
commanding  her  to  be  gone  in  a  hoarse  voice,  pass 
ed  again  to  the  foot  of  the  bed,  shook  it  violently, 
and  made  a  seeming  attempt  to  get  upon  it,  when, 
perceiving  her  to  be  springing  up,  he  fled  out  of  the 
room  by  the  secret  door,  cautiously  shut  it,  and  join 
ed  his  companions. 

The  operators  had  not  yet  completed  their  farce, 
or  rather,  to  Melissa,  tragedy.  They  had  framed 
an  image  of  paste-board,  in  human  shape,  arrayed 
it  in  black,  its  eyes  being  formed  of  large  pieces  of 
what  is  vulgarly  called  fox-fire,*  made  into  the  like 
ness  of  human  eyes,  some  material  being  pkiced  in 
its  mouth,  around  which  was  a  piece  of  the  thinest 
scarlet  tiffany,  in  order  to  make  it  appear  of  a  flame 
color.  They  had  also  constructed  a  large  combusti- 

*  A  sort  of  decayed  or  rotten  wcod,  which  in  the 
night  looks  like  coals  of  fire,  of  a  bright  whitish 
color.  It  emits  a  faint  light. 


ALONZO    AND    MELISSA.  181 

bio  ball,  of  several  thicknesses  of  paste-board,  to 
which  a  match  was  placed.  The  image  was  to  be 
conveyed  into  her  room,  and  placed,  in  the  dark,  be 
fore  her  hed; — while  in  that  position,  the  ball  was  to 
be  rubbed  over  with  phosphorus,  the  match  set  on 
6re,  and  rolled  across  her  chamber,  and  when  it 
burst,  the  image  was  to  vanish  by  being  suddenly 
conveyed  out  of  the  private  door,  which  was  to  close 
the  scene  for  that  night.  But  as  Melissa  had  now 
arisen  and  lighted  candles  the  plan  was  defeated. 

While  they  were  consulting  how  to  proceed,  they 
heard  her  unlock  her  chamber  door,  and  slowly  de 
scend  the  stairs.  Fearing  a  discovery,  they  retired 
with  their  lights,  and  the  person  who  had  been  in 
her  chamber,  not  having  stripped  off  his  ghostly  ha 
biliments;  laid  himself  down  on  one  side  of  the 
hall.  The  man  who  had  the  image,  crowded  him 
self  with  it  under  the  stairs  she  was  descending.  On 
her  dropping  the  candle,  when  she  turned  to  flee  to 
her  chamber  from  the  sight  of  the  same  object  which 
had  appeared  at  her  bed-side,  the  person  under  the 
stairs  presented  the  image  at  their  foot,  and  at  the 
same  instant  the  combustible  ball  was  prepared,  and 
rolled  through  the  hall;  and  when  on  its  bursting 
she  fainted,  they  began  to  grow  alarmed;  but  on 
finding  that  she  recovered  and  regained  her  cham 
ber,  they  departed,  for  that  time,  from  the  house. 

"Our  scheme,"  continued  the  wounded  man,  "had 
the  desired  effect.  On  returning  a  few  evenings  after, 
we  found  the  lady  gone  and  the  furniture  removed. 
Several  attempts  were  afterwards  made  to  occupy 
the  house,  but  we  always  succeeded  in  soon  fright 
ening  the  inhabitants  away. 

Edgar  and  Alonzo  then  requested  their  prisoner  to 
show  them  the  springs  of  the  secret  doors,  and  how 
they  were  opened.  The  springs  were  sunk  in  the 


182  A1ONZO    AND    MELISSA. 

wood,  which  being  touched  by  entering  a  gimlei 
hole  with  a  piece  of  pointed  steel,  which  each  of 
the  gang  always  had  about  him,  the  door  would  fly  * 
open,  and  fasten  again  in  shutting  too.  On  opening 
the  trap-door  over  which  the  gang  had  sat  when 
they  first  discovered  them,  they  found  the  table  and 
chairs,  with  the  decanters  broken,  and  the  money, 
which  they  secured.  In  one  part  of  the  cellar  they 
were  shown  a  kind  of  <ave,  ivs  mouth  covered  with 
boards  and  earth — here  the  company  kept  their  fur 
niture,  and  to  this  place  would  they  have  removed 
it,  had  they  not  been  so  suddenly  frightened  away. 
The  canoe  they  found  secreted  in  the  bushes  beyond 
the  canal. 

It  was  then  agreed  that  the  man  should  go  before 
the  proper  authorities  in  a  neighboring  town,  and 
there,  as  state's  evidence,  make  affiadavit  of  what 
he  had  recited,  and  as  complete  a  developement  of 
the  characters  concerned  in  the  business  as  possible, 
when  he  was  to  be  released.  The  man  inquired  to 
what  town  they  were  to  go,  which,  when  they  had 
informed  hir  ,  "  Then,"  said  he,  "  it  will  be  in  my 
power  to  perform  one  deed  of  justice  before  I  leave 
the  country,  as  leave  it  I  must,  immediately  after  I 
have  given  in  my  testimony,  or  I  shall  be  assassina 
ted  by  some  of  those  who  will  be  implicated  in  the 
transaction  I  have  related." 

He  then  informed  them,  that  while  he,  with  the 
gang  was  prosecuting  the  illicit  trade,  a  British  ship 
came  and  anchored  in  the  Sound,  which  they  sup 
plied  with  provisions,  but  that  having  at  one  time  a 
considerable  quantity  on  hnnd,  the  ship  sent  its  boat 
on  shore,  with  an  officer  and  five  men,  to  fetch  it* 
the  officer  came  with  them  on  shore,  leaving  the 
men  in  the  boat.  "  As  we  were  about  to  carry  the 
provisions  5n  board  the  boat,"  continued  the  man, 


ALONZ3    AND    MELISSA.  183 

**  a  party  of  Americans  fired  upon  us,  and  wounded 
the  officer  in  the  thigh,  who  fell:  "  I  shall  be  made 
prisoner,"  said  he,  taking  out  his  purse;  keep  this, 
and  if  I  live  and  regain  my  liberty,  perhaps  you  may 
have  an  opportunity  of  restoring  it: — alarm  the  boat's 
crew,  and  shift  for  yourselves."  The  boat  was  al 
armed,  returned  to  the  ship,  and  we  saved  ourselves 
by  flight. 

"  This  happened  about  four  months  ago:  the  ship 
soon  after  sailed  for  New  York,  and  the  officer  was 
imprisoned  in  the  gaol  of  the  town  to  which  we  are 
to  go;  I  can  therefore  restore  him  his  purse." 

The  man  farther  informed  them,  that  they  had 
several  times  come  near  being  taken,  and  the  last 
trip  they  were  fired  upon,  and  one  of  their  party 
killed 

"They  immediately  set  out  for  the  aforesaid  town, 
after  having  dismissed  their  fifteen  men;  and  when 
they  arrived  there,  Alonzo  and  Edgar  accompanied 
their  prisoner  to  the  gaol.  On  making  the  proper 
inquiries,  they  were  conducted  into  a  dark  and  dirty 
apartment  of  the  gaol,  where  were  several  prisoners 
in  irons.  The  British  officer  was  soon  distinguished 
among  them  by  his  regimentals.  Though  enveloped 
in  filth  and  dust,  his  countenance  appeared  familiar 
to  Alonzo;  and  on  a  few  moments  recollection,  he 
recognized  in  the  manacled  officer,  the  generous 
midshipman,  Jack  Brown,  who  had  so  disinterestedly 
relieved  him,  when  he  escaped  from  the  prison  in 
London' 

In  the  fervency  of  his  feelings,  Alonzc  flew  to  him 
and  clasped  him  in  his  arms.  "What  do  I  behold!" 
he  cried.  *'  My  friend,  my  brave  deliverer,  in  chains, 
in  my  own  country!" 

««  The  fortune  of  war,  boy!"  said  Jack — it  might 
nave  been  worse.  But  my  lad,  I  am  heartily  glad 


194  ALONJO    AND    MELISSA. 

to  see  you;  how  has  it  fared  with  you  since  you  left 

Old  England  ?" "  We  will  talk  of    that  by    and 

by,"  said  Alonzo. 

There  were  then  some  American  officers  of  dis 
tinction  in  town,  with  whom  Edgar  was  acquainted, 
to  whom  he  applied  for  the  relief  of  the  noble  sailor: 
and  as  there  were  several  other  British  pris 
oners  in  gaol,  it  was  agreed  that  a  cartel  should  be 
immediately  sent  to  New  York  to  exchange  them. 
Alonzo  had  therefore,  the  satisfaction  to  see  the  irons 
knocked  off  of  his  liberal  hearted  benefactor,  and 
his  prison  doors  opened. 

The  man  they  had  taken  at  the  mansion,  returned 
him  his  purse  containing  only  twenty-five  guineas  of 
which  Jack  gave  him  ten.  "  There",  boy,''  said  he, 
'*  you  have  been  honest,  so  I  will  divide  with  you." 

They  then  repaired  to  an  inn,  Jack  whose  wound 
was  healed,  was  put  under  the  hands  of  a  barber, 
cleansed,  furnished  with  a  change  of  clothes,  and 
soon  appeared  in  a  new  attitude. 

He  informed  Alonzo,  that  soon  after  he  left  Eng 
land,  his  ship  was  ordered  to  America:  that  the  price 
of  provisions  growing  high,  it  had  taken  almost  all 
his  wages  to  support  his  family;  that  he  had  sent 
home  his  last  remittance  just  before  he  was  taken, 
reserving  only  thetwentyfive  guineas  which  ha-d  been 
restored  him  that  day. — "  But  I  have  never  despair 
ed,"  said  he:  "  the  great  Commodore  of  life  orders 
all  for  the  best. — My  tour  of  duty  is  to  serve  my 
king  and  country,  and  provide  for  my  dear  Poll  and 
her  chicks,  which,  if  I  faithfully  perform,  I  shall  gain 
the  applause  of  the  Commander." 

When  the  cartel  was  ready  to  depart,  Alonzo 
taking  Jack  apart  from  the  company  presented  him 
with  draft  for  five-hundred  pounds  sterling,  on  a 
merchant  in  New-York,  who  private.'y  transacted 


ALOWZO    AND    MELISSA.  185 

business  with  the  Americans.  "  Take  this,  my 
friend,"  said  he;  "  you  can  ensure  it  by  converting 
it  into  bills  of  exchange  on  London.  Though  you 
once  saw  me  naked,  I  can  now  conveniently  spare 
this  sum,  and  it  may  assist  you  in  buffeting  the  bil- 
bws  of  life."  The  generous  tar  shed  tears  of  grat 
itude,  and  Alonzo  enjoyed  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
him  depart,  calling  down  blessings  on  the  head  of 
his  reciprocal  benefactor. 

The  man  who  came  with  Alonzo  and  Edgar  from 
the  mansion,  then  went  before  the  magistrate  of  the 
town,  and  gave  his  testimony  and  affidavit,by  which 
it  appeared  that  several  eminent  characters  of  Con 
necticut  were  concerned  in  this  illicit  trade. — They 
then  released  him,  gave  him  the  money  they  had 
found  in  the  cellar  at  the  mansion,and  he  immedate- 
ly  left  the  town. — Precepts  were  soon  after  issued 
for  a  number  of  those  traders:  several  were  taken, 
among  whom  were  some  of  the  gang,  and  others 
who  were  only  concerned — but  most  of  them  abscon 
ded,  so  that  the  company  and  their  plans  were  broken 
up. 

When  Alonzo  and  Edgar  returned  home  and  relat 
ed  their  adventure,  they  were  all  surprised  at  the 
fortitude  of  Melissa  in  being  enabled  to  support  her 
spirits  in  a  solitary  mansion,  amidst  such  great  and 
BO  many  terrors. 

It  was  now  that  Alonzo  turned  his  attention  to 
future  prospects.  It  was  time  to  select  a  place  for 
domestic  residence.  He  consulted  Melissa  and  she 
expressively  mentioned  the  little  secluded  village, 
where 

"  Ere  fate  and  fortune  fiown'd  severe," 

they  projected  scenes  of  connubial  bliss,  and  plan 
ned  the  structure  rf  their  family  edifice.  This  intv 


186  ALONZO    AND    MELI8SA. 

mation  accorded  with  the  ardent  wishes  of  Alonzo. 
The  site  formerly  marked  out,  with  an  adjoining 
farm,  was  immediately  purchased,  and  suitable  buil 
dings  erected  to  which  Alonzo  and  Melissa  removed 
the  ensuing  summer. 

The  clergyman  of  the  village  having  recently  dt*<£ 
in  a  good  old  age,  Edgar  was  called  to  the  pasU nJ 
charge  of  this  unsophisticated  people.  Here  did 
Melissa  and  Alonzo  repose  after  the  storms  of  t4 
versity  were  past.  Here  did  they  realize  all  the  na^>- 
piness  which  the  sublunary  hand  of  time  apportions 
to  mortals.  Their  varying  seasons  diversified  their 
joys,  except  when  Alonzo  was  called  with  the  militia 
of  his  country,  whrein  he  bore  an  eminent  commis 
sion,  to  oppose  the  enemy;  and  this  was  not  unfre- 
quent,  as  in  his  country's  defence  he  took  a  very 
conspicuous  part.  Then  would  anxiety,  incertitude, 
and  disconsolation  possess  the  bosom  of  Melissa, 
until  dissipated  by  his  safe  return.  But  the  happy 
termination  of  the  war  soon  removed  all  cause  of 
these  disquietudes. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  Alonzo  received 
a  letter  from  his  friend,  Jack  Brown,  dated  at  an  in 
terior  parish  in  England, — in  which,  after  pouring 
forth  abundance  of  gratitude,  he  infosmed,  that  on 
returning  to  England  he  procured  his  discharge  from 
the  navy,  sold  his  house,  and  removed  into  the  coun 
try,  where  he  had  set  up  an  inn  with  the  sign  of 
The  Grateful  American.  "You  have  made  us 
all  happy,"  said  he;  "  my  dear  Poll  blubbered  like 
a  fresh  water  sailor  in  a  hurricane,  when  I  told  her 
of  your  goodness.  My  wife,  my  children,  all  hands 
upon  deck  are  yours.  We  have  a  good  run  of  busi 
ness,  and  are  now  under  full  sail  for  the  Jand  oi 
prosperity." 

Edgar  married  t-o  one  of  the  Miss  Simpsons,whosa 


ALOIfZO    AND    MELISSA.  18? 

father's  seat  was  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village.  The 
parents  of  Alonzo  and  Melissa  were  their  frequent 
visitors,  as  were  also  Vincent  and  his  lady,  with 
many  others  of  their  acquaintance,  who  all  rejoiced 
in  their  happy  situation,  after  such  a  diversity  of 
troubles.  Alfred  was  generally  once  a  year  their 
guest,  untiJ  at  length  he  married  and  settlea  in 
the  mercantile  business  in  Charleston,  South  Caro 
lina. 

To  our  hero  and  heroine,  the  rural  charms  of  their 
secuided  vil'age  were  a  source  of  ever  pleasing  va 
riety.  Spring,  with  its  verdured  fields,  flowery  meads, 
and  vocal  groves,  its  vernal  gales,  purling  rills,  and 
its  evening  whippoorwill;  summer,  with  its  embower 
ing  shades,  reflected  in  the  glassy  lake, and  the  long, 
pensive,  yet  sprightly  notes  of  the  solitary  strawber 
ry-bird;*  its  lightning  and  its  thunder:  autumn,  with 
its  mellow  fruit,  its  yellow  foliage  and  decaying  ver 
dure; — winter,  with  its  hoarse,  rough  blasts,  its  icy 
neard  and  snowy  mantle,  all  tended  to  thrill,  with 
sensations  of  pleasing  transition,  the  feeling  bosoms 
of  ALONZO  AND  MELISSA. 

*A  bird  which.in  the  New-England  States,  makes 
its  first  appearance  about  the  time  stawberries  begin 
to  ripen.  Its  song  is  lengthy  and  consists  of  a  vari- 
nty  of  notes,  commencing  sprightly,  but  ending 
plaintively  and  melancholy. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO        )M  WHICH  BORROWED 


CO 

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